Social Impact on Obesity

People that have overweight or obese friends may be more likely to gain weight themselves. A new study has emerged that found a link between the weight of an individual and their close friends, spouse or siblings.

The fat is not contagious, but the social behaviors that lead to weight gain are. A person’s sense of what is normal for body weight or size is largely determined by the people they socialize with, so spending a great deal of time with overweight friends or family can impact a person’s weight.

This goes deeper than the friend who brings in cookies every day or the person who encourages their friend to have dessert. The weight gain is linked directly to behaviors and attitudes related to exercise, diet and overall health.

Having a best friend or a close group of friends that are overweight increases an individual’s chance of being overweight by 57%. Surprisingly, an overweight spouse or sibling only increases the chances by one-third. The good news is that these same friends and family can also help an individual overcome weight gain and obesity if the situation is reversed.

The social impact on obesity can also be used to help individuals lose weight. When a person’s social group embarks on a weight loss journey, then they are more likely to lose weight as well. This may be something as simple as taking walks during lunch or seeking out medical weight loss in Mt. Kisco for professional assistance.

While there are many factors that can lead to obesity, such as genetics and income, people can use their own social groups to control their weight. Getting friends and family involved a weight loss regime or with medical weight loss in Mt. Kisco can yield greater results that trying to lose all the weight alone, since they will provide an invaluable support and encouragement system.