Is obesity contagious?

As surprising as it may seem, obesity is contagious. Relatives and friends of an obese person 40-171% risk of becoming too. Imitation lifestyle does not seem concerned. This phenomenon can be explained by a more gradual drift bodily standards.

Obesity, exponentially illness

Too rich diet, physical inactivity and genetic factors explain the strong growth of obesity. In the United States, obesity has doubled in fifteen years and today nearly 66% of Americans are overweight. In France too the situation is dramatic with 5 million people affected by obesity and 14 million overweight. In USA 15-24, obesity has nearly doubled in less than ten years. In addition to the psychological, social and professional repercussions, excess weight is dangerous for health. Cardiovascular disease, osteoarthritis, respiratory disease, hypertension, type 2 diabetes and cancer risk are related to being overweight.

A new risk factor for obesity

The idea of a contamination by degrees could explain the exponential growth of overweight and obesity. This demonstration was made from data collected from 12,000 people followed between 1971 and 2003, and 37,000 of their friends, relatives and neighbors. For each subject, the body mass index was known (weight in kilograms divided twice by height in meters) and its possible evolution. On thus finds that the friends of an obese person has a risk of becoming too increasing the percentage is 70% in the case of a friend of the same sex, and 171% if it is the best. As for the spouse, risk increases by 37%. Finally, in this study, the risk to siblings rises by 40%. The problem is not just genetics. We also note that geographical distance does not change the data. Moreover, the increased risk was not observed among neighbors, unless they have become good friends!

Overweight: the drift of bodily norms

The phenomenon observed here can not be explained by an identical diet with friends or more widely by adopting a similar lifestyle, but rather by a drift of standards: if my relatives are fat, then "I may let go too "?? In practice, whatever the environment, we must not get caught and keep its bearings. In the case of relatives, spouses or friends, it is better to speak out. And friends, there are no taboo subjects, particularly in the case of overweight, friends are could not be better placed to encourage and support.