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Identify how higher Body Mass Index BMI and weight discrimination are associated with romantic relationship formation and termination in young adults, and if the association was consistent for males and females. Logistic GEEs were used to determine if Time 1 BMI and weight discrimination predicted Time 2 relationship status for the strata of students in, and out, of a relationship at Time 1. When stratified by gender, the association between higher BMI and weight discrimination with relationship status was only observed for females.
Longitudinally, a BMI-based selection effect was observed for romantic relationship formation, but not termination. When stratified by gender the association of higher BMI decreased odds of relationship formation was only significant for females. No weight discrimination differences for selection in or out of a romantic relationship were observed.
These findings suggest a weight-related selection effect for romantic relationship initiation, but not termination, in young female adults with lower BMIs. Weight discrimination was not associated with romantic relationship initiation or termination in this sample. Body size can shape social experiences and prospects, including romantic relationships [ 1 β 4 ].
Studies of large-scale marital data suggest that slimmer women are viewed as more desirable romantic partners and are more likely to marry [ 4 β 7 ]. Research also suggests that adolescents and young adults with an overweight weight status are less likely to be married seven years later [ 4 ]. It is less clear how weight affects entry into and exit from relationships in adolescence and early adulthood prior to marriage decisions. First-year college students living together in residence halls are an excellent sentinel group for such a study; the opportunity for initiating new romantic and sexual relationships can be high for these students [ 8 β 11 ].
