A new study by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) revealed the growing obesity level between married couples in India, stating that one of the four couples (27.4%) suffer from both overweight or obesity.

Based on data from more than 52,737 married couples as part of NFHS-5 (2019–21), it is one of the biggest investigations of spusal weight trends conducted in the country.

The study led by ICMR-National Institute of Cancer Prevention and Research, attracts attention that experts are saying “Spusal Concordance” in obesity, a situation where the two partners reflect each other’s unhealthy weight position.

A shared trip to gain weight gain

The findings published in the current developments in nutrition show that couples are inadvertently strengthening unhealthy habits of each other.

Whether it is highly shared food in calories, late night snacking, sedentary routine, or binding on food, lifestyle options often align in a wedding.

The ICMR team said, “What we do with whatever we eat, the partners mimic each other’s behavior.”

Young, urban couples are most affected.

The study found that 27.4% married couples in India suffer from overweight or obesity. This means that one in four couples share a similar weight situation, often the result of shared habits and lifestyle options.

This trend was usually seen more among the rich couples, especially in the richest income group, where about 47.6% pairs were overweight or obese. Couples living in urban areas also showed a high rate of weight simultaneously, affecting 38.4% city-based couples.

The number of couples living in nuclear families (28.9%) had high number and which was the same age (28.8%) or the same level of education (31.4%). The couples who were not paying also show more likely to be overweight (33.9%) simultaneously.

Media habits were also playing a role. Couples who regularly read newspapers (39.6%) or watch television (32.8%) had a higher risk of shared obesity. Similarly, eating habits also matters, which were likely to be more than weight or obesity every week, such as eggs (30.7%) and chicken (29.9%).

Geographically, the highest rates of overweight joints were found in southern (37.2%) and northern (33.5%) parts. States like Kerala, Jammu and Kashmir, Manipur, Delhi, Goa, Tamil Nadu and Punjab had the highest rates – these states had more than 42% pairs of overweight or obese.

Researchers also found that some groups had a significant risk of fickle obesity. These included couples of rich houses, living in urban areas and pairs of some religious groups.

Finally, eating regular foods regularly, such as eggs (14%), fish (25%), chicken (9%), fried foods (6%), and especially alcohol (98%) – was strongly connected to both partners weighing over both partners.

More than just lifestyle

While diet and physical inactivity are the main contributors, cultural and economic forces also play a role.

Dr. Siri M Kamath, Advisor in Internal Medicine at Glayngles BGS Hospital, Bangalore, told indiayatody.in, that overweight is still associated with prosperity and good health, especially in the older mindset. Dr. Kamath said, “Being a slim, sometimes wrongly seen as a sign of weakness.”

Financially, staples such as rice and wheat are given heavy subsidy through a public distribution system, while vegetables and protein -rich pulses are less accessible.

“It makes Karboes more cheap and, unfortunately, more effective in Indian food,” said the expert.

Obesity 2 The implications are far ahead of the appearance, with diabetes, heart disease, hypertension, infertility, and even a risk factor for cancer-they affect India’s long-term health and productivity.

Why couple-based intervention matters

ICMR researchers recommend changes in how to deal with obesity in India. Instead of focusing on individuals, interventions should address joints and houses-especially in urban, rich and media-desired environment.

The authors wrote, “Spusal Concordance in overweight and obesity is strongly affected by shared socio -economic status, lifestyle behavior and dietary patterns.” “Public health strategies should prefer couple-based interventions, especially among high-risk subgroups.”

More than 27.4% of married couples are now falling into a category suffering from overweight or obesity, India should not only treat obesity, but also to prevent it from becoming a domestic epidemic.