Friends, Family Could Be Making You Fat

[!King_Amazon!]

I think there's a video included, apologies for the local news website, that's where I found it.

http://kutv.com/health/health_story_206210413.html

Jul 25, 2007 6:02 pm US/Mountain
Friends, Family Could Be Making You Fat

(CBS News) Here's some food for thought: If you're watching your weight, you may not be getting by with a little help from your friends. Dr. Jon LaPook has more on a study released Wednesday that says when someone packs on the pounds, his or her close friends and relatives often do the same.

For all of us looking for another excuse for putting on a few pounds, we've got a whopper.

"Obesity spreads through friends and through spouses and through siblings," says James Fowler of the University of California, San Diego.

The study says obesity has become a "socially contagious" disease — spreading person to person almost like a virus.

Among married couples, when one spouse becomes obese, the risk to the other increases by 37 percent. For siblings, the risk rises 40 percent.

So, while everyone might have gotten a good laugh watching "The Nutty Professor" say "that certain people are genetically predisposed to gain weight," the joke may have been on us.

Nobody knows this better than Keisha and Shavon Brown, two sisters who used to be a bad influence on each other.

"When I said I didn't want to work out," says Shavon, "she said she didn't either, and we would stay home."

Lazy lifestyles and super-sized portions are partly to blame. But researchers say it's also because we look at our friends for an idea of normal body size.

"If the social norm is to be at a higher weight, then other people accept their body weight at a higher level," says Dr. Lou Aronne, a specialist on weight loss and obesity.

The study also found the strength of the relationship also matters.

Among casual friends, when one becomes obese, the risk for the other increases 57 percent. For close friends, the risk nearly triples.

The good news is that this research suggests if friends can help you get fat, they should also be able to help you get thin — for example, by sharing time at the gym together instead of sharing a cheeseburger.

The Brown sisters did just that. With the guidance of their life coach, they are eating healthier and working out more.

So far, they have lost 40 pounds combined. So either follow their example, or keep your heavier friends close — but your thinner enemies closer.


(© MMVII, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)

[Thanatos]

I just read something similar on MSN. I think it's bunk. If you're letting your friends influence you this much, maybe you need to re-evaluate your friendship. I have my own willpower to work out, I don't need my fatass friends dragging me down.

[!King_Amazon!]

You would be suprised how much you are influenced by society even without knowing it.

Some people are more succeptable (I don't think I even came close to spelling that right,) to it than others, of course, but it's pretty damn hard to not be influenced by society in any way, because most of the time you don't even know it's happening.

For instance, most women are constantly looking for what "normal" is for their bodies. When the majority of people are fat, normal starts shifting in that direction, and it becomes more acceptable to be fat in society.

I've always said it needs to stop being acceptable. In this day and age we're told that the fat kid is just like everyone else, but he's not, he's a fatass and we're told that's alright so nothing gets done about it.

[HandOfHeaven]

Society sometimes has the effects of subliminal messaging to some extent. But I thought that all that was mainly coming from Hollywood? How we're supposed to be paper-thin and what not. I think obesity can easily be blamed on just the mere presence of food in America, and our culture. I know Europe is mostly health conscious, but looking at the statistics, most of America are not.

[!King_Amazon!]

That's exactly what I mean, "America" isn't health conscious. It's kind of a group think type thing, for a lot of people.

One of the most basic things you learn in psychology is when everyone around you is doing something, it makes it right in your mind to do it as well.

For example, at sports games when people start going nuts and go on the field and beat the shit out of people. Once the first person starts it, it's like a chain reaction and everyone else thinks they can do it too and it's fine.

[HandOfHeaven]

I never understood why jocks went nuts after winning games. Only thing I can remember when my soccer team won districts was drenching coach (my dad) with a couple tubs of water, almost like when most football teams win. I just never understood the jumping up and down and acting like a complete nuisance, unless they were making fun of druggies at a rave.


I try to be somewhat health-conscious. The only thing I've had fast food for two weeks was a Crunch-Wrap Supreme and some potato wedges from KFC-Taco Bell. Only reason was, my mom didn't want to go any place else, and we had to get a bunch of cleaning done. I wish streets had fruit vendors, or fruit vending machines that kept them extremely fresh until you get it.

[Thanatos]

Taco Bell is actually a pretty healthy fast food place. I worked there for a year and a half, ate there everytime I worked, and I didn't gain a pound. I weighed a good, healthy 160. Now that I've got an office job and I sit on my ass all day, I weigh 180. Gay.

[klo]

I completely agree. I have a friend that goes to the gym with me...and when she's not in the mood Its way harder for me to go. :(. Plus I've got Kaneda sitting there saying "ok, babe...but I thought we'd play video games or watch a movie and spend time tonight...but do whatever you want..." *insert love me face*...ugh. lol.

[HandOfHeaven]

You both should be competitive runners.

[Grav]

I wish streets had fruit vendors, or fruit vending machines that kept them extremely fresh until you get it.

As long as the fruit was kept in deep cool this would be possible. The chef where I work recently threw out some apples he'd had stored in a cooler for 12 months, a full year. They were the green skinned type of apple, and they look exactly like you'd get them from the supermarket. No blemishes.

[D3V]

I completely agree. I have a friend that goes to the gym with me...and when she's not in the mood Its way harder for me to go. :(. Plus I've got Kaneda sitting there saying "ok, babe...but I thought we'd play video games or watch a movie and spend time tonight...but do whatever you want..." *insert love me face*...ugh. lol.

I wish my counterpart was as motivated as I am to go to the GYM, but it's usually somewhat late when I get off work, so it's harder when she wants to go, and most of my friends go during the day, so I don't really feel like going by myself :-\

[HandOfHeaven]

It's that simple? I thought you might have to add some preservative, but if it would be the same temp as a coke machine that would be great. Cold fruit is delicious.

[Grav]

A lot of our fruit is genetically "enhanced" so I guess it's possible.

[Vollstrecker]

That's exactly what I mean, "America" isn't health conscious. It's kind of a group think type thing, for a lot of people.

One of the most basic things you learn in psychology is when everyone around you is doing something, it makes it right in your mind to do it as well.

For example, at sports games when people start going nuts and go on the field and beat the shit out of people. Once the first person starts it, it's like a chain reaction and everyone else thinks they can do it too and it's fine.

Herd mentality for the win. ;)

All it takes really is a little observation to spot when you're doing something because other people are doing it, and to decide if it's something you actually care to continue doing.

[KagomJack]

It's odd at what's acceptable and normal and how much it's changed during time. It's also odd to note how people's tastes change too with time. At one point a woman with meat on her bones was more desirable because it meant she was well-fed and could possibly offer a good dowry.

[Vollstrecker]

Yep, I remember reading about how women tried to make themselves fatter to be more desirable, and I kinda chuckled.

In 400 more years, I wonder what the trend will be?

[RoboticSilence]

Yep, I remember reading about how women tried to make themselves fatter to be more desirable, and I kinda chuckled.

In 400 more years, I wonder what the trend will be?

In some cultures this is how it is! Not everyone in the world is concerned with the asinine shit we Americans are.

[klo]

I think that meat is good...haha :(.

[KagomJack]

Africans prefer a plump woman.

[hotdog]

I prefer women with meat as well. I don't like looking at a pair of boobs and seeing ribs dude, and who the hell lets other people influence them? I played sports and not once joined in on any fights, my friend came over and I still did my full workout while he was here even though he said he didn't want to do it!

But the thing that pisses me off the most is when people try to blame food! How about you look at yourself and say FATASS DONT TOUCH IT! Huh?! I eat all sorts of shit and I still weigh 345 pounds and only 18% of that is fat! Why don't you learn to control your own body before you start pointing fingers? Learn how to strengthen your own willpower. I swear no wonder no one can make it through school...you all lack willpower!

[Vollstrecker]

Let's get angry.

[hotdog]

Damn right I'm pissed you fuckers are trying to find reasons to get rid of Beef, Ham, Chicken, and Turkey. Assholes I refuse to eat Tofu and synthetic shit because YOU are so damn weak you can't even say no to food. If someone asks you kill yourself can you say no to that? Wouldn't be the least bit surprised if you couldn't.

[Vollstrecker]

Damn right I'm pissed you fuckers are trying to find reasons to get rid of Beef, Ham, Chicken, and Turkey. Assholes I refuse to eat Tofu and synthetic shit because YOU are so damn weak you can't even say no to food. If someone asks you kill yourself can you say no to that? Wouldn't be the least bit surprised if you couldn't.

Did you even READ the damn article?

[RoboticSilence]

Damn right I'm pissed you fuckers are trying to find reasons to get rid of Beef, Ham, Chicken, and Turkey. Assholes I refuse to eat Tofu and synthetic shit because YOU are so damn weak you can't even say no to food. If someone asks you kill yourself can you say no to that? Wouldn't be the least bit surprised if you couldn't.

Tofu is pretty good if you dislike flavor.

[Grav]

EvilSpaniard: a few weeks ago i dated this guy, and talked about his gay brother who is a "feeder/grower", along with his boyfriend
GravitonSurge: feeder... grower...??
EvilSpaniard: yes, his brother used to be decently proportioned, but he met this lardass guy
EvilSpaniard: and now they both try to become as fat as possible for sexual pleasure

[Vollstrecker]

Wait...

Fat for sexual pleasure? Trying to comprehend that one is kinda like having someone lacing my synapses with jalapeno.

[hotdog]

You mean mustard...god thats the worst thing you can do to yourself next to eating a baseball sized chunk of wasabi...

[Vault Dweller]

Reading that made my eyes vomit.

[KagomJack]

Dude, read the article. We can argue about people who're trying to take away meat and make us all vegetarian/vegans.

And people do become fat because being overweight turns them on. I actually know someone like that.

[MightyJoe]

Do you know them from a mirror?

[KagomJack]

That was weak.

[Thanatos]

You're out of line. B&.

[Willkillforfood]

Fuck that's messed up. Those people can enjoy having their fat man sex, but I don't want to hear about it ><.

[Vollstrecker]

Fuck that's messed up. Those people can enjoy having their fat man sex, but I don't want to hear about it ><.

Supporting this viewpoint is relevant to my interests.

[!King_Amazon!]

Supporting this viewpoint is relevant to my interests.
When did you change your custom user title? I liked what it was :P

[Vollstrecker]

lol

I just changed it, it seemed a bit funny for my avatar/sig to be Grey Knights and my user title proclaiming myself as a bumbklaatt. ;)

[hotdog]

Why not? According to Peter from Family Guy having sex with fat is better than having normal sex.

[HandOfHeaven]

Yeah, but wouldn't you want to be hitting a pussy, instead of a fold?

[The1]

I dont understand how some guys can like when a girl gets really fat and think their so sexy... Like the girl i work with is so big and she told me her bf said he likes his women big... he's a skinny guy lol. I just find it so chaotic...

[Vault Dweller]

It gives birth to terrifying mental images. Kind of like that scene in Road Trip.

[HandOfHeaven]

I sometimes think of Dodgeball when that fat cheerleader fell on Justin Long.

[Willkillforfood]

I've seen guys that must like huge women. Maybe they let the fat rolls act like other women so when he does her in another roll it's like another person?

[HandOfHeaven]

So it's like a three-some but only one person? Weird.

[Thanatos]

I wouldn't mess around with an obese person but I like a girl with a little meat on their bones. Skinny ass chicks that are like 90-105 are just nasty. All skin and bones? No thanks.

[Willkillforfood]

I dont like girls that have bones for arms. I think that looks sick. However, I gotta say I find girls with flat stomachs more attractive. Trying to hook up with a chick who has just a little bit of meat on her in the right spots =D.

[klo]

I was around 105-115 for a while...then got a "womans" body lmao.

I couldn't tolerate being over 150 though, I'd go insane....I'm at like 125-130 now and not too satisfied lol.

[Willkillforfood]

10-15 lbs isn't a huge deal. My weight fluxuates that much pretty frequently although Im like 100 lbs heavier than you.

[HandOfHeaven]

I think girls should weigh probably 20-30 pounds less than me. Kind of weird. (161 lbs)

[Willkillforfood]

It all depends on the height. 130 lb. 5' girls got some pudge. I'd say a girl my height should weigh considerably less than me though unless she's an athlete and has some muscle.

[HandOfHeaven]

I love well-toned, small girls.

[Willkillforfood]

Me too really x_X.

[Thanatos]

I was around 105-115 for a while...then got a "womans" body lmao.

I'm at like 125-130 now and not too satisfied lol.

That's hot.

[HandOfHeaven]

Was just going to say that, but didn't want to seem creepy. Glad someone shares my opinion.

[Willkillforfood]

Thanatos wanked to your myspace photo, Klo.

[Thanatos]

You're a pretty weird dude, you know that?

I didn't say "she" was hot, I said "that's" hot, which it is, IMO.

[HandOfHeaven]

I dunno about you man, but I'd jack it to that shit. But normally I imagine unicorns and rainbows when I jackoff.

[Vollstrecker]

I dunno about you man, but I'd jack it to that shit. But normally I imagine unicorns and rainbows when I jackoff.

What count are we at for HoH's gay postcount? I was gone for a few days.

[Willkillforfood]

You're a pretty weird dude, you know that?

I didn't say "she" was hot, I said "that's" hot, which it is, IMO.

So I've been told.

[HandOfHeaven]

I like girls.

[Vault Dweller]

Sure you do...


At any rate, here's to junk in the trunk!

[Willkillforfood]

Hahaha, nice. We need to make a thread to post pictures of the best asses in the business.