Marital discord, past depression, and metabolic responses to high-fat meals: Interpersonal pathways to obesity

People spend about 18 of every 24 h in a postprandial state, and dining with one's partner is a common daily event. Among subjects with a mood disorder history, the cumulative 6.75-h difference between high and low hostile behaviors translates into 128 kcal, a difference that could add 7.6 pounds/year. Our findings illustrate novel pathways through which chronic marital stress and a mood disorder history synergistically heighten the risk for obesity, metabolic syndrome, and cardiovascular disease.