Is obesity really contagious?

obesity is definitely not contagious in an infectious sense, such as a virus. However, although obesity cannot be physically caught from others, there are some evidence that shows that it is socially contagious. An important study recently found that if a person has obese friends, he is probably also obese.

The study examined 12,067 Framingham, inhabitants of Massachusetts from 1971 to 2003. James Fowler from San Diego's University of California and Dr. Nicholas Christakis of Boston's Harvard Medical School. Christakis is a professor of medical sociology and concluded from the study that obesity is in the extent of collective. They think that the key reason why people with obese friends are likely to be obese themselves is the social acceptance of obesity in their social circle. The study also found that if their friends lose weight, it is also more likely to lose weight.Us as husbands and siblings were somewhat influential in terms of obesity, friends were very influential. 37% increase in risk of obesity was found if a person had obeseAbout spouse, 40% increase if the sibling was obese and 57% increase if a friend was obese. The report that social networks can have a great influence in the spread of obesity has caused some controversy.

Some people who respond to the results of the study have said that the idea that obesity is socially contagious will only feel obese people more as social. They thought more people would discriminate against obese people, and it would be less likely to meet them for fear of becoming obese themselves. There is concern that people will consider the study to be a "warning" so that they do not become friends with obese people.

However, other respondents to the study of obesity Christakis and Fowler thought that the study just rejoices the idea that social groups influence how one sees. They say that people on the same social network tend to approve the same types of things that people in other networks do not need. Also, as a studyIt shows that when their friends lose weight, one is also likely to lose weight, it is clear that the influence of the social network can be either positive or negative.