Main Menu
Weight loss can be contagious
If you have to be the victim of a contagious disease, this is a pretty good one. According to a new study people who participated in a team-based weight loss competition significantly influenced each other’s weight loss helping them all to shed extra pounds.
Team members not only achieved similar weight loss outcomes, but participants admitted that their teammates made all the difference.
“We know that obesity can be socially contagious, but now we know that social networks play a significant role in weight loss as well, particularly team-based weight loss competitions,” said lead author Tricia Leahey, PhD, of The Miriam Hospital and Alpert Medical School. “In our study, weight loss clearly clustered within teams, which suggests that teammates influenced each other, perhaps by providing accountability, setting expectations of weight loss, and providing encouragement and support.”
About a third of American adults are obese according to the CDC. Not a single state has met the nation’s Health People 2010 challenge to get obesity under 15%. Health problems for obese people include heart disease and diabetes, arthritis and even infertility. Weight related health issues cost the nation hundreds of billions of dollars each year.
“This is the first study to show that in these team-based campaigns, who’s on your tea really matters,” said Leahey. “Being surrounded by others with similar health goals all working to achieve the same thing may have really helped people with their weight loss efforts.”
Leahey concluded, “We’re all influenced by the people around us, so if we can harness this positive peer pressure and these positive social influences, we can create a social environment to help encourage additional weight loss.”
Source: ScienceDaily, Obesity
This information is solely for informational and educational purposes only. The publication of this information does not constitute the practice of medicine, family planning, child psychology, marriage counseling and this information does not replace the advice of your physician or other health care or mental health care provider. Neither the owners or employees of NaturalFamilyOnline.com or the author(s) of site content take responsibility for any possible consequences from any treatment, procedure, exercise, dietary modification, application of medication or any other action involving the care of yourself or any family members which results from reading this site. It is always best to speak with your primary health care provider before engaging in any form of self treatment. Additional information contained in our Legal Statement
Poll
What does your weekly dinner look like?
The whole family dines together at home
63%
The whole family dines together at a restaurant
1%
Parents and children eat separately
4%
Whoever is around eats together
21%
Every family member for themselves!
11%
Total votes: 5755