Couples who live together are more than (twice) as likely to become obese than those who live separately, new (research) shows.

The study to be (published) next month in the journal Obesity also showed that the risk of obesity rises the (longer) people live together.

Penny Gordon-Larsen, (associate) professor of nutrition at the University of North Carolina, found some positive health benefits to (marriage), including decreased cigarette smoking and lower mortality.

But she added: "We also see greater (weight) gain than in others of the same age, and greater risk of (obesity).

"Maybe the (cause) of weight gain is not just age, but the pressure of shifting behaviours that result in (weight) gain."

She said people living together – married or not – (tended) to eat meals together, possibly cooking bigger meals or eating out more often than they did when they were single.

They were more likely to watch (television) together instead of going to the gym or playing a sport. Her research found that couples who lived together for more than two years – (especially) those who were married – were most likely to display similar obesity patterns and physical behaviours.

She added: "Maybe this a good time to intervene with these (young) couples and get them to have a more positive effect on each other.

"Couples can use that phenomenon to their (advantage) if they're aware of what's going on." "They can be good influences on each other. That may be how they can (avoid) the extra pounds now associated with marriage."

Question)
1. What are the differences between living alon and living together?
2. What other changes may be brought by living together?