A recent report in the Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior shows that a spouse or partner can sometimes help keep their partner’s diet on the right course, although what may seem to be helping may also be hindering their dietary changes at the same time. The study of 21 couples in which one partner was attempting to make changes in his or her eating habits shows that some of the non-dieting partners helped by changing their eating habits and offering encouragement; however, others made the transition more difficult by eating junk food in front of the dieting half or expressing skepticism about the new diet and their ability to make it work.

The research shows that a diet, when seen as a “shared activity” among partners, is more likely to be successful over a long period of time when the non-dieting half makes over their eating and shopping habits, as well as meal and snack times. This positive encouragement is also seen as a confidence builder that may be needed by the dieting partner to successfully adhere to their new eating habits. Conversely, partners who reacted negatively or discouraged their dieting partners attempts at leading a healthier lifestyle were typically unaware their behavior was having a negative impact.

According to lead researcher Dr. Judy Paisley of Ryerson University: “significant others who demonstrated strong support for their partner’s dietary changes…saw their direct participation in the change (in eating habits) as a natural extension of their relationship”