Harvard researchers suggest that obesity may be socially contagious, “spreading” through social ties, as thin and overweight people tend to cluster together.
The data on more than 12,000 people, collected over 32 years, suggests that your odds of becoming obese increases by 57 percent if you have a friend who is obese, by 40 percent if you have an obese sibling, and by 37 percent if your spouse is obese.
“What appears to be happening is that a person becoming obese most likely causes a change of norms about what counts as an appropriate body size,” said one of the study’s authors, professor Nicholas Christakis.
Some believe this may account for why it has been so difficult to treat the epidemic of obesity, as each person is treated individually, rather than treating the entire social network.
Other experts are still skeptical. Professor Andrew Hill of the University of Leeds believe it’s purely speculation to suggest people adopt a new body image simply because their friends become obese. “The statistics may be meaningful, but in real life this is not very helpful to people who are overweight,” he said. He also said it’s important not to forget about the key factors contributing to obesity, namely poor diet and lack of exercise.
The New England Journal of Medicine 357:370-379 July 26, 2007 (Full Report)
Forbes.com July 26, 2007
BBC News July 26, 2007
Dr. Mercola’s Comments:
As fascinating as this may appear at first glance, it offers nothing of real value to you if you are overweight. Having yet another “excuse” is not the solution to this growing, worldwide, obesity epidemic.
Two-thirds of American adults are now overweight, and the prevalence of obesity has increased to 31 percent, according to this study. With statistics like these, handing out scientific excuses like this one is inexcusable.
Fortunately, you have plenty of free tools at your disposal on this Web site that will help you optimize your weight, and your overall health. Your ideal weight, and overall well-being, is only a proper diet and a faithful exercise regimen away.
Finding the Right Diet for You
“Eating right,” means eating healthy, nutritious foods that supply your body with all the fuel and energy it needs. There is no one diet that works perfectly for everyone, because you are all different. Therefore, you need a diet that is designed for your unique biochemistry.
Discovering your nutritional type is easy: You can start by signing up for my free Nutritional Typing Mini Course to get a more in-depth understanding.
Remember, just because some foods are good for others doesn’t automatically mean they’re healthy for you, and vice-versa. Nutritional typing is a proven way to ascertain which foods work best for your genetic biochemistry.
Physical Exercise
The three variables to keep in mind when exercising are:
frequency intensity
I would encourage you to begin anywhere, with whatever you can do today, and gradually increase the amount of time you exercise up to 60 to 90 minutes per day.
Keep the daily regimen going until your weight and insulin levels are normalized, at which point you can decrease the frequency to three to four times per week.
Intensity is the number one, key component of an effective workout. Studies have now shown that breaking up your exercise routine into blocks of high intensity activity, with a rest period in between, is far more effective than one long workout. It lowers your blood glucose, and increases your fat breakdown much more efficiently than going at it at a slow and steady pace.
You should exercise hard enough that you have difficulty talking to someone next to you. This is your optimal intensity. If you cannot carry on a conversation at all, then you’re working out too hard and need to decrease the intensity.
Remember that nutrition and exercise go hand-in-hand to optimize your weight and health. Focusing on one, while ignoring the other, will not give your body everything it needs, much like trying to bake a cake using only half the ingredients in the recipe. So start small, but start, and keep adding to your daily health regimen little by little, each day.
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The Scientific Definition of Obesity and Its Dangers
The Definite Link Between Childhood Obesity and Middle-Age Health
Parents: The Weakest Link in the Childhood Obesity Epidemic
Ten Surprising Factors That Contribute to Obesity