increases one’s own obesity risk by 37%. Some studies suggest that the benefits of cohabitation for health habits are similar to those of marital ties (Wu et al. 2003). Duncan and colleagues (2006) find that, among young adults, the transition to cohabitation or marriage is associated with a decrease in substance use, and Bachman et al. (2002) report similar findings for cohabiting couples planning to marry. Yet the transition into marriage or cohabitation increases obesity risk (The & Gordon-Larsen 2009).
