You’re obese because you socialize with overweight friends. No, I’m not making this up. This statement is based on a well-known 2007 study done by Nicholas Christakis of Harvard University, and James Fowler of the University of Pennsylvania.
They found that if you have a close friend who is obese, your chances of also becoming obese increases by 57 percent. And if your spouse is obese, your chances are 37 percent, still very high. While the reasons for those results are complex, additional research research through the subsequent years, proves that this relationship exists.
You’re Obese: More Recent Studies
A more recent study discovered that our friends influence our eating habits all the time.
Researchers put three friends into a room together and brought in a tray of freshly baked chocolate chip cookies. Two of the participants had been told ahead of time not to eat the cookies. So what did the third friend do? The same. But here’s the interesting twist. Afterward, the friends were put into three different rooms, each with a plate of the cookies, and the third friend still resisted them. Mann’s explanation for this mimicking of self-control? People conform to groups and learn their habits from other people.
When it comes to losing weight, the company you keep continues to makes a difference. According to a 2016 study done at Baylor University, heavier people were more likely to successfully lose weight if their social circle included slimmer buddies.
In other words, bad habits may be contagious, but good habits can be, too. Here are several tips you can use to avoid getting fat:
You’re Obese: Prepare Meals With Friends, Family, Colleagues
Hang out and socialize with friends, family and colleagues who are like minded like you. They want to maintain a healthy weight. Positive reinforcement is a powerful motivator. Stick to the healthier options on the menu. You’ll find it much easier to avoid the high calorie-low nutrition foods when you’re with your support group.
Once you start feeling better and losing weight, you will be able to handle any tempting food situation on your own.
Group Exercise Great For Weight Loss
Exercising with a group, several times a week is a great way to lose weight and keep it off. Positive peer pressure can work wonders for you.
Multiple studies have demonstrated the benefits of group exercise. A 2018 university study found that physically healthy adults who walked in groups were more likely to stick with it than those who walked alone. And, a 2017 study published in the Journal of the American Osteopathic Association showed that people who exercised in groups showed greater improvements in physical and emotional health than working out alone.
Indeed, a study last year found that older adults are more likely to stick with an exercise program if they can participate with people near their age.