Last July, the New England Journal of Medicine published an article "The Spread of Obesity in a Large Social Network over 32 Years" by Christakis and Fowler.
The article: NEJM -- The Spread of Obesity in a Large Social Network over 32 Years
News articles about the article:
Obesity spreads to friends, study concludes - International Herald Tribune
How Friends Make You Fat - TIME
Is fat contagious? Study shows that it's likely . . . look out! - mainstreamraw (OTM mindbody)
Another thread in these forums discusses somewhat related topics:
http://training.fitness.com/body-image/you-look-anorexic-28446.html
Question to think about: within your social network, do you see social influences toward obesity, or do you see social influences toward fitness? Do you have any influence on your friends in these respects?
Unfortunately, I see mostly social influences toward obesity, even though the area that I live in is hardly the fattest or most unfit area. For example, many people go out of their way to be lazy, such as waiting for the elevator when walking up the stairs would be faster, or waiting for a shuttle bus instead of walking 2/3 mile. That a shuttle bus is provided for such a short distance, or that the stairs in a building are hidden (compared to the elevators) with only the minimum emergency exit signage, is another influencing factor.
Christakis and Fowler said:
The article: NEJM -- The Spread of Obesity in a Large Social Network over 32 Years
News articles about the article:
Obesity spreads to friends, study concludes - International Herald Tribune
How Friends Make You Fat - TIME
Is fat contagious? Study shows that it's likely . . . look out! - mainstreamraw (OTM mindbody)
Another thread in these forums discusses somewhat related topics:
http://training.fitness.com/body-image/you-look-anorexic-28446.html
Question to think about: within your social network, do you see social influences toward obesity, or do you see social influences toward fitness? Do you have any influence on your friends in these respects?
Unfortunately, I see mostly social influences toward obesity, even though the area that I live in is hardly the fattest or most unfit area. For example, many people go out of their way to be lazy, such as waiting for the elevator when walking up the stairs would be faster, or waiting for a shuttle bus instead of walking 2/3 mile. That a shuttle bus is provided for such a short distance, or that the stairs in a building are hidden (compared to the elevators) with only the minimum emergency exit signage, is another influencing factor.