Romantic Relationships among Women Experiencing Obesity: Self‐Perception and Weight as Barriers to Intimacy

Abstract

This study addresses a gap in the literature connecting obesity research with the daily lives of women. Results from seven focus groups with 50 women suggest a dynamic interplay between weight status and women's intimate relationships with men. Women described obesity as a barrier to both physical and emotional intimacy; however, women often self‐selected themselves out of intimate relationships. In addition, health profile match between partners functioned as a protective factor when both spouses were overweight and were motivated to become healthier together. When there was a weight or motivation mismatch, women described more negative relationship interactions. In some instances, weight functioned as a source of vulnerability or target for conflict, suggesting potential power imbalance in women's relationships that perpetuate adverse or harmful interactions. Themes extracted from this study offer fresh insight and new directions for researchers as well as health and relationship practitioners working with women.