Your social circle may influence you to become obese, says study

Research shows obesity can spread through communities like a 'social contagion'

Besides genes and an unhealthy diet, your friends can also play a role in making you overweight, says a study, which found that obesity can spread through communities like a 'social contagion'. The study showed how social circles can influence an individual’s weight.

"Social contagion in obesity means if more people around you are obese, then that may increase your own chances of becoming obese. Subconsciously, you are affected by what people around you are doing," said Ashlesha Datar at the University of Southern California. "If you move to a community where a sedentary lifestyle is the norm, you join that. There is this social influence.”

Jawaid added that the fundamental causes of being overweight and obese are genetics, overeating, a diet high in simple carbohydrates, frequency of eating and physical inactivity. PHOTO: NBC News

For the study, the team included 1,314 parents and 1,111 children of US Army personnel at 38 bases. The chances of becoming overweight or obese for a teenager increased 4% to 6% for rise in every 1% in the obesity. On the other hand, the risk of the parent becoming obese or overweight went up 5% for increase in every 1% of obesity in the area.

The longer the families lived there, the more likely they put on weight, the report said. Obesity can be caused by many variables, and previous research has shown living in certain communities carries a higher risk of obesity than living in other communities.

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