Your Weight Can Affect Your Marriage

People often say “happy wife, happy life,” but a recent study suggests that “skinny wife, happy life” might be more accurate. The study, which was performed by the University of Tennessee, found that couples report more happiness and satisfaction when the wife’s weight is lower than her husband’s weight.

Both husbands and wives appreciated this difference in weight, reporting more satisfaction when the wife’s BMI was lower than that of her husband’s.

Although this study might be a little disconcerting to some, especially those who resent men for getting off the hook when it comes to gym time, the truth is that these findings are not that surprising regarding women or men. We all know that men are visual creatures when it comes to sexuality, and this study seems to confirm their physical focus. Men are biologically programmed to seek out certain physical attributes like full breasts and a small waist-to-hip ratio, possibly because these are traditional signs of youth and fertility.

In fact, a recent study performed by researchers at Radboud University in the Netherlands found that even men who were blind from birth responded to these cues. The men were asked to feel mannequins who had varying waist-and-hip ratios, and then select the one they liked the best. Almost invariably, they chose the mannequin with the lower waist-to-hip ratio, just as the sighted men did.

While men undeniably enjoy physical attributes such as these, lust might not be the only explanation for the findings in the University of Tennessee study. In fact, it could be that the fitter wives are more confident and self-assured, meaning that they are also more content as a result. While weight and physical appearance might seem like shallow concerns, they can greatly impact a person’s self-esteem and outlook on the world. If a woman isn’t happy with how she looks, it will negatively impact almost all areas of her life, including her relationships and her sex life.

Perhaps this is why skinnier wives report more marital satisfaction. They are more comfortable in their own skin and more attuned to their own sexual desires, whereas heavier women might struggle with low self-esteem in the bedroom — rejecting the idea of having the lights on and feeling embarrassed about donning lingerie. Sadly, such low self-esteem can chip away at a woman’s relationship and her connection with her partner. Sexual intimacy is a big part of a happy marriage, and it is how couples stay bonded and satisfied throughout the years. If sex goes out the window, you can expect marital satisfaction to plummet dramatically as a result.

Fortunately, you don’t have to look like Natalie Portman to enjoy a healthy sex life. Instead of stressing over reaching a certain weight, make it your goal to simply take good care of your body and your mind. Discover activities that make you feel good and help you look good at the same time, such as rock-climbing, skiing, or dance classes. Ditch your inhibitions in the bedroom by trying something new, like having sex in a new position or wearing a daring new piece of lingerie. No matter what you weigh, the best way to create a happy marriage is to be healthy, inside and out!