Want to know why Americans will keep getting fatter? Because so many of us are already fat, and because fat people make other people fatter. That's the essence of a theory put forth by Harvard scientists who are convinced that obesity spreads through social networks, not unlike a virus does. The Los Angeles Times reports on a paper published in PLoS Computational Biology, in which Harvard scientists applied a mathematical model of social contagion data from the Framingham Heart Study. Their research showed that among study participants, obesity increased from 14 percent in the 1970s to 30 percent in 2000 and continues to increase.They conclude that the upswing in obesity rates results largely from social-network influence, and they predict that the rise in obesity rates will slow, to the point that it may take another 40 years to reach that 42 percent obesity mark. The Times reports that the researchers found that being surrounded by more obese people leads to increased social acceptability of obesity which leads to a higher rate of becoming obese. Their data shows that a non-obese American has a 2 percent chance of becoming obese in any given year, and the number rises by 0.4 percent with each obese social contact. So, if you have five obese friends, that doubles your risk of becoming obese. The study found that the rate of recovery from obesity — about 4 percent per year — has not changed.
Health, fitness and lifestyle tips for people over 50 who still like to play hard
Saturday, May 31, 2025
People become obese because they are mentally weak. They don’t have the discipline to take personal responsibility for themselves. Drug companies love these people. They almost single-handedly are the root cause of our nations high healthcare costs. Past Surgeon General’s have said that 75% of all diseases are not caused by bad genes but rather bad habits.
There are many factors contributing to the rise in obesity – see this weeks “eat this, not that” http://health.yahoo.net/experts/eatthis/15-shocking-food-industry-secrets
But to the point of this study, my small slice of the world confirms it. As at CC teacher, it is obvious that my students constantly make comparisons between each other. The bar for what is “fat” vs “a bit chunky” has be reset upwards may times. The game they play is to find the morbidly obese person in class (there is usually one who is, or is very close) and think themselves “ok” by comparison even if they are 30+ pounds overweight. Its kind of sad to see.
I’m fat because you are fat?That’s like saying I’m stupid because you’re stupid!! Are I do drugs because you’re doing them.PloS Computational Biology! Now that’s Stupid!If you believe this crap,you’ll believe anything!!Fat people are fat because of what and how much they eat! Its not what you are I are the other person does. If that were the case,I could put the blame of all my problems on you! are you! are anybody to keep from blaming myself! And that’s what people try to do now a days, is to try and blame some one else for their problems.
I DON’T THINK FAT PEOPLE JUST PLAN TO BE FAT. IT JUST HAPPENS. THE LIFESTYLE WE LIVE. THE FOOD WE EAT. SOMETIMES IT IS EASIER T PICK UP SOMETHING THAT IS ALREADY PREPARED THAN TO GO HOME AND PREPARE IT. IN OLDER TIMES, WE USE TO RAISE OUR OWN GARDEN, RAISE OUR OWN COWS CHICKENS, AND HOGS. WE WOULD ALSO KILL THEM OURSELVES AND PUT THEM IN THE FREEZER FOR THE WINTER.WE WOULD CAN THE FOOD OUT OF THE GARDEN AND EAT ON IT ALL WINTER. WE MILKED OUR OWN COWS AND MADE OUR OWN BUTTER. WE DID NOT HAVE A LOT OF ADDIATIVES IN OUR FOOD. I THINK THAT THIS IS A BIG FACTOR IN BEING OVERWEIGHT. WE ALSO HAVE A LOT OF PEOPLE THAT ARE EATING BEACUSE THEY GET STRESSED. WE DO NOT GET OUT AND WORK IN THE GARED WHEN WE GET HOME. WE GET NO EXERCISE. WE USE TO CUT OUR OWN YARDS AND NOW EVERYTHING IS HIRED DONE BECAUSE WE WORK TOO MUCH.
What a load of academic CRAP: Harvard scientists who are convinced that obesity spreads through social networks, not unlike a virus does.
No … obesity is spread because the FOOD companies put chemicals in the food that make you FAT, SICK and ADDICTED to the food ….
It’s just that simple.
I agree with Chi Joe.People dont reed what is in the food product.For instance afriend of mine (that is on a low fat and salt diet)said he liked a canned soup that advertized as low fat.He could not belive it when we read the label add found 1100 gms of salt.he now reads labels.Makers misrepersent thier products all the time.Take time and read.Could save your life..
There is much truth to this study. It’s not glorifying unhealthy lifestyles, it’s just suggesting that this is one contributing factor. There are many others as well. People today are eating foods that are genetically and scientifically engineered. Americans are much less active than prior generations.
With two-thirds of our populace being overweight, it’s less likely they will feel out of place in society. Subconsciously someone could easily justify their weight as normal since their peers are also overweight. When in Rome.
ChiJoe: While much of what you said is true, you need to remember that eating junk generally won’t affect weight if you exercise on a regular basis. Olympic swimmer Michael Phelps eats around 10,000 calories per day, while maintaining a healthy weight. He also eats quite a bit of junk food. Now I’m not suggesting that everyone should emulate his exercise regimen, as it is very strenuous. But Americans should at least increase their metabolic output. You might be surprised how easy it is to lose weight without breaking a major sweat. Just walking an extra mile or two per day can significantly reduce your weight overtime. Americans don’t need to hit the gym; we just need to move our bodies more often.