Contagious

j_g4ever
j_g4ever Posts: 1,925 Member
edited September 2024 in Health and Weight Loss
Is Fat Contagious?

A study in the New England Journal of Medicine of more than 12,000 people found that obesity is socially contagious and can spread from person to person, much like a virus. The study shows that you have a 57 percent chance of becoming obese if you have a friend who is obese, and the risk rises to a 171 percent chance if two mutual friends become obese.



“Eating is social,” Dr. Ordon says. “And typically, if you’re around people, you’re going to eat what other people are eating.”



There is good news, however: While gaining weight may be contagious, losing weight may be, as well! Being in a healthy environment and around healthy people has a positive influence on diet, Dr. Ordon explains. “Maybe this is an encouraging study,” Dr. Travis says. “What it’s saying to everyone is, ‘Look, if you’re encouraged to lose weight, get your friends to join you in that endeavor and you’re going to have more success.’

“Yes, fat can be contagious, but good health can be contagious, as well!” Dr. Travis adds.

Replies

  • j_g4ever
    j_g4ever Posts: 1,925 Member
    Is Fat Contagious?

    A study in the New England Journal of Medicine of more than 12,000 people found that obesity is socially contagious and can spread from person to person, much like a virus. The study shows that you have a 57 percent chance of becoming obese if you have a friend who is obese, and the risk rises to a 171 percent chance if two mutual friends become obese.



    “Eating is social,” Dr. Ordon says. “And typically, if you’re around people, you’re going to eat what other people are eating.”



    There is good news, however: While gaining weight may be contagious, losing weight may be, as well! Being in a healthy environment and around healthy people has a positive influence on diet, Dr. Ordon explains. “Maybe this is an encouraging study,” Dr. Travis says. “What it’s saying to everyone is, ‘Look, if you’re encouraged to lose weight, get your friends to join you in that endeavor and you’re going to have more success.’

    “Yes, fat can be contagious, but good health can be contagious, as well!” Dr. Travis adds.
  • hmo4
    hmo4 Posts: 1,673 Member
    Are you calling me FAT?
  • ivykivy
    ivykivy Posts: 2,970 Member
    I agree.

    Since I started loosing weight and people have noticed the results- 2 of my sisters my aunt, my mom and my dad have started trying to lose. My mom said to me "if we would have started when you started we could have been finished".
  • mommachag
    mommachag Posts: 318 Member
    Are you calling me FAT?


    my kids always tell me i'm phat--- with a PH:laugh:
  • hmo4
    hmo4 Posts: 1,673 Member
    That's what we call one of our cats to tease him-Phat cat.:happy:
  • MattySparky
    MattySparky Posts: 771 Member
    I think you could say that having little or no self control might be contagious. I think that if you surround yourself with likeminded people you will be influenced by those people in good or bad ways. I dont agree with this though because Im surrounded by people at work, most of them in great shape, who eat everything you can think of and Im not one bit influenced by their behaviour.
  • weesel80
    weesel80 Posts: 186 Member
    This was interesting to see because I tend to agree with it. Since I have lost my weight (and continue to lose!!:wink: ), people at my work have begun their own weight loss journeys, saying they are inspired by me. It makes me so proud, because since I am a registered nurse, I should be setting a healthy example for my patients, and if I am inspiring my co-workers to do the same, that is awesome!!

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  • mommared53
    mommared53 Posts: 9,543 Member
    That's what we call one of our cats to tease him-Phat cat.:happy:

    I call my cat "fat cat". :laugh: :laugh: Now I know he can't help it. He has a fat virus. :laugh: :laugh:
  • hmo4
    hmo4 Posts: 1,673 Member
    No, they're just wearing baggy sweat pants. :laugh:
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