Fat? Blame your other half

Marital rows can make people put on weight by slowing down metabolism, a study suggests.

Unhappy couples in marriages fraught with tension were found to be at a higher risk of obesity because their arguments caused them to burn fewer calories.

Those with a history of depression as well as a hostile marriage were found to be particularly prone to metabolic problems as their rows altered the way the body processed high-fat foods.

The lead researcher, Jan Kiecolt-Glaser, from Ohio State University, said: "Meals provide prime opportunities for ongoing disagreements in a troubled marriage."

Researchers gave 43 healthy couples aged 24 to 61, who had been married for at least three years, a meal totalling 930 calories and 60g of fat.

The couples were asked to try to resolve issues that often caused conflict. Common topics were money, communication and in-laws. Those with a mood disorder and a more hostile marriage burned an average of 31 fewer calories per hour.