Tom used to consider himself lean and fit, but since some of his best buddies have started gaining weight, he finds himself putting on some extra pounds as well. He wonders if there is a connection and concludes that he is just not as motivated to work-out as he was when he was trying to compete with his thin friends. Tom’s conclusion may point to an interesting phenomenon that affects many of us. A recent study in the July 26, 2007 New England Journal of Medicine stirred up quite a controversy when it suggested that having obese friends can actually lead to obesity.

Some people struggling with weight problems were rather offended by the study. They felt it stigmatizes overweight people and perhaps suggests that those trying to lose weight should not hang out with other overweight people. Actually, the study’s authors, medical sociologist Nicholas A. Christakis and political scientist James H. Fowler had no intention of insulting anyone and certainly did not mean to suggest that overweight people should be avoided.

Instead, the investigative pair was trying to delve deeper into the cause of the obesity epidemic that seems to be sweeping industrialized nations, especially the United States. Fast food and processed foods along with lack of exercise, have been blamed for this problem and there is no doubt that the food and lack of activity play a significant role in weight gain. However, Christakis and Fowler hypothesized that social networks have a large impact on weight gain and their findings seem to prove their hypothesis correct.

The Study

Christakis and Fowler analyzed the data from the 32-year long Framingham Heart Study. Over 12,000 adults, mostly white and middle class, took part long-term in the Framingham study. Christakis and Fowler found that when one person in a mutual friendship becomes obese, there is a extremely high chance that the other person will also develop obesity.

It did not seem to matter whether the friends live close to each other or not. The researchers found that acquaintances of the obese friends also have a significant chance of becoming obese.

Spouses and siblings also have a significantly increased chance of becoming obese, when one of them does. This is perhaps not all that surprising in the case of spouses, since they are likely to consume the same foods. In the case of siblings, some of the risk could be attributed to genetics. However, the findings on friends are what astounded the public. What could cause this effect?

The Researchers’ Conclusions

Christakis and Fowler believe that perhaps having obese people as friends makes being obese feel more socially acceptable. Friends seem to influence each others’ lifestyle choices, even when the friendship is conducted long distance. It seems what our friends’ weight influences our weight, even more than our spouses and siblings do.

The effect was most pronounced between friends of the same sex. Fortunately, the opposite effect is true as well; having thin friends seems to influence people to be thinner. The researchers point out that these findings should be utilized to implement public health programs to fight obesity.

How to Use these Findings in Your Weight-loss Battle

Fortunately, we don’t have to wait for a public health program to take advantage of these findings. Many of us already know the benefits of having a support system when trying to lose weight. Christakis and Fowler’s results remind us not to take social influences for granted; they may be influencing you, even if you are not consciously aware of them.

Being surrounded by people who overeat or eat unhealthy foods can unconsciously motivate us to do likewise. Even if you seldom see your obese friends, just knowing that they are overweight may make you feel less social pressure to be thin. If you are trying to lose weight, examine your support system and your motives for trying to lose weight.

Remember, the most successful motives for losing weight are health-related ones. Sure it’s nice to be slim and trim, but our society as a whole is setting unrealistic goals in this regard. Living longer and healthier with a lower risk of heart disease, high blood pressure, stroke, diabetes, cancers and a host of other ills should motivate your weight loss efforts. Even a slight weight-loss can significantly reduce the risk of these health problems.

Try to get others to support your need to lose weight for health reasons. Find a weight-loss and exercise buddy or join a weight-loss group. Numerous studies have shown that the various kinds of weight loss groups can help you lose weight more effectively, than trying to go it on your own. According to Rena Wing, PhD, who is a professor of psychiatry at Brown Medical School, people who regularly participate in a weight loss group can expect to lose an average of 10 percent of their body weight during the first six months in the group.

Unfortunately, sometimes people backslide and regain weight after a group program ends. Experts suggest enrolling in group programs with friends or family members; that way you can still support each other after the group ends. Of course, sometimes people develop long-term friendships with others in their group and this can be a continued source of support.

With A Little Help from Our Friends

Weight loss is not easy, but a good support system can make it easier and more enjoyable than going it alone. Finding friends who support our weight-loss goals does not meant we have to dump our overweight friends who are not trying to lose weight. It simply means that we need to learn how others can influence us, so that we can take steps to fight self-defeating behavior. Perhaps your example will influence people you care about to lose weight themselves. It has been known to happen.