Is obesity a social disease?

I think that this is one of the most interesting subjects I've come across in a while. The New England Journal of Medicine recently published this study that suggests people with obese friends are more likely (57% more likely, in fact) to become obese as well. The same can be said for those whose siblings and spouses gain a significant amount of weight, although the results are less significant (40% and 37% respectively).

Basically the research suggests that obesity is socially contagious. If your friend gains weight, you're more likely to as well as are, according to the study, your friends. So what gives? The researchers believe that it's all about ideas and what we all believe is acceptable as far as weight and health are concerned. If your pal becomes obese, your idea of what is considered a healthy body size will change, making you feel it's more acceptable to be heavier.

The good news is that apparently the same goes for losing weight. So if a buddy (or sibling or spouse) begins to eat healthy, exercise regularly and lose weight, you'll get the idea too and be influenced to life a healthier lifestyle as well.