Daily Family Interactions are Associated with Body Mass Index in Couples with Children Experiencing Pandemic Stress

Abstract

A host of factors, including family distress, may contribute to obesity. While weight gain happens over time, day-to-day interactions may explain how family interactions between one's romantic partner and one's children relate to weight (i.e., individuals may use food to compensate for poor relationships). The study aimed to examine the relationship between body mass index (BMI) and daily family distress (e.g., romantic partners and children) with couples experiencing pandemic-related stress. This diary method designed study sampled heterosexual couples with children ( n = 59, N = 118) reporting pandemic stress. We conducted Actor-Partner Interdependence Models to test actor-partner effects between romantic partners. Results suggested, for men, more upsetting partner interactions were related to their own higher BMI. Women's BMI increased when their romantic partner reported upsetting interactions with them and when the women reported parenting distress.