Is Obesity Contagious
by: Pm - July 26th, 2007
So says a recent study published in The New England Journal of Medicine. Okay, maybe obesity isn’t contagious like the mumps, chicken pocks, or the flu, but researchers now believe that obesity is a communicable disease that spreads through social connections researchers are calling “social contagion.” Basically, people transmit an unconscious or subliminal message to friends, family members, and neighbors that it’s alright to partake in behaviors that lead to obesity (i.e., overeating, social drinking, skipping workouts, etc.). In fact, at least according to this study, your chances of becoming obese yourself increase nearly 60% if your close friends are obese. And that’s regardless of where they live geographically in relation to you. If this doesn’t scare you, it should. As a nation, nearly 33% of us are obese (many more of us are overweight) and the rate is rapidly increasing. With adolescents being one of the fastest growing (pun intended) segments of the population.
What to do: Recognize that weight management is influenced by social factors as much as psychological and physiological factors. In other words, don’t feel funny about skipping desert or ordering a salad or a “dry” chicken breast when all your friends are going with the cheese burgers and fries.
The good news about this research is that the reverse also appears to be true. By setting a good example of the way a healthy lifestyle should be lived, you’re encouraging those close to you to do the same.
Happy Heaving,
PM
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07/26/07
I couldnt agree with that article anymore! just heard it on the news last night!
08/08/07
I think that people choose to be fat. I do not think it is something that you can get from being around obese people. I know this to be a fact. My whole family is fat, my mom, sister, and some other peole in my family. I was fat also in my fresman year of highschool at about 360# and about 5' 5" and very obese. I told every one I knew that i wanted to loose weight over the summer and they all laughed. My football coach told me that it was in my family and that my dreams to have a muscular build were a waiste of time. My other friends told me that i liked food too much. So I moved away to my grand parents for 3 months. I became consumed by the idea of losing the weight and busted ass every day in the gym and with my diet. at the end of the 3 months i was 198 pounds. every one i knew was shocked. So its not who you hang out with that makes you fat. It YOU
08/08/07
Paul,
I think that most everyone on this site believes that what you choose to look like and weigh is ultimately up to you. However, the people around you can influence your success (or lack thereof). This is one of the main reasons that you temporarily moved in with your grand parents, no? You overcame the naysayers and did what you needed to do to be healthier and feel better about yourself. Unfortunately, many people don't have the self-control and perseverance that you have…
That's why people like you need to continue to set a positive example.
PM
I think that most everyone on this site believes that what you choose to look like and weigh is ultimately up to you. However, the people around you can influence your success (or lack thereof). This is one of the main reasons that you temporarily moved in with your grand parents, no? You overcame the naysayers and did what you needed to do to be healthier and feel better about yourself. Unfortunately, many people don't have the self-control and perseverance that you have…
That's why people like you need to continue to set a positive example.
PM
