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As published in
Januar/February 2008 Southwest Health:
It's certainly not a virus like a cold or the flu,
but there is some research to suggest that obesity is easily spread among close
friends and family.
A study published recently in The New England
Journal of Medicine revealed that obesity has less to do with food and more to
do with what is an acceptable weight for our spouses, siblings or pals.
But fear not, the research also illustrates the
benefits of battling the bulge together.
'Weight is a complex issue, and social networks can
work both for you and against you,' explains Dee Sandquist, director of the
Southwest Center for Weight Management and national spokesperson for the
American Dietetic Association.
By maintaining a healthy weight and exercising
regularly, you may be helping your friends and family too.
GET FIT WITH YOUR FRIENDS, NOT FAT
A recent study in
the New England Journal of Medicine showed that obesity tends to spread through
families and friends, and not necessarily because they share the same appetite.
Instead, the close relationships appear to influence a person's perception of
appropriate eating habits and acceptable weight.
'People need to look at this as a way to help identify
the pitfalls in our lifestyles and work together to avoid them,' explains Dee
Sandquist, director of the Southwest Weight Management Center and national
spokesperson for the American Dietetic Association.
The relationship factor makes a difference in obesity
rates, according to the study. Siblings of obese participants had a 40%
increased chance of becoming obese themselves. A spouse's risk spiked by 37%,
while friends of the same gender had an even higher risk of becoming obese-71%.
The social network can also have a positive influence, the study showed, with
evidence that good health and fitness is contagious, too.
'Social peer pressure can be very healthy when it comes
to holding people accountable for the choices they make,' says Sandquist. 'But
also realize that it truly comes down to individual accountability to make
lasting changes in your life.'
Is it time to introduce fitness to your family and
friends? In the office or at home, make the conscious decision to share healthy
snacks and get a workout buddy to bring exercise into the equation.
Find out if it's time for you and your friends to get
fit. Click
here to check your BodyMassIndex.
December, 2008
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