Abstract

An estimated 1 billion people are said to be overweight worldwide. Current obesity levels range from below 5 per cent in China, Japan and certain African countries to over 75 per cent in urban Samoa. More than one-third of African women and a quarter of African men are overweight. Using the data obtained from a survey conducted among randomly selected 295 single university students, this paper examines the perception and attitudes of the respondents to marriage to the obese and overweight. Results show that obesity is no longer considered a sign of good living. More than three-quarter of the respondents dislike getting married to obese person. Reasons for such dislike include unattractiveness, being slow and lazy and most importantly the associated health problems. In fact, some women emphasize that the probability of becoming young widows for those who marry obese men is very high. It is interesting to state that irrespective of sex, level of study and religion, marriage to obese people is abhorred by most of the respondents. Respondents attribute the cause of obesity to excess intake of food rich in fats and heredity. The study found a significant relationship between desire not to marry an obese person and not being happy if spouse suddenly becomes obese. It is evident from the study that the orobo may soon experience marital isolation.