Independednt 08 August 2007

 

Humans choose partners with a similar body fat level to their own, according to research published yesterday.  For years scientists have known people tend to marry within their own social and educational class and race. But a study has now found people with roughly the same amount of body fat are likely to be attracted to each other.  Researchers also found this predisposition - called "assortive mating" - could be contributing to the world's obesity epidemic.  This is because children who have an overweight mother and father get a double dose of the genes that make them susceptible to piling on the pounds

 

The study was undertaken by Aberdeen's Rowett Research Institute and Aberdeen University.  Researchers measured the body-composition of 42 couples using a sophisticated technique called dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA).  The results found the amount of body fat in one person was proportionately very similar to that of their partner's.  This suggests that humans assortively mate for body fatness.

Prof John Speakman, of Aberdeen University, said the phenomenon of assortive mating for body fat was a relatively new one.  He said this was because in the 1940s and 50s people got married in their early 20s, often before they were overweight or obese.  "Nowadays, we choose partners and have children much later," he said. "This makes it possible for potential partners to select each other on the basis of body fatness."