Obesity and Nonrelationship Sex: Are Obese Young Adults Hooking Up?

Holly R. Fee, Bowling Green State University

The formation of romantic relationships is often limited for obese individuals, but how obesity affects the opportunity for sexual activity is less clear. Using data from Wave IV (2007-2008) of the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health (Add Health), this study examines whether obesity is related to the likelihood of engaging in non-relationship sex, specifically the likelihood of hooking up. Results suggest that overweight (BMI 25.0 – 29.9) and obese I (BMI 30.0 – 34.9) individuals are more likely to report higher odds of hooking up five or more times compared to the combined categories of never, once, and two to four times hooking up than normal weight (BMI 18.5 – 24.9) individuals. The findings between the association of obesity and the likelihood of hooking up persist even when demographic characteristics, drug and alcohol use, depressive symptoms, and religiosity are controlled.