If you are surrounded by obese people you are at risk of weight gain because you will often be surrounded by food and watching television and less physical activity. The more obese friends or relatives you have, the greater the chance of becoming obese yourself, according to a new study by University of Arizona.
Obesity can affect the subconscious level: thinner people see obese friends as if they were normal weight, and begin to overeat until they reach the same weight. Influence can be direct: the obese friends can begin to tease slender and knowingly encourage them to eat more food and less exercise.
The study involved 101 women, including 812 close friends and relatives. By comparing the body mass index (BMI) it is found that women who are overweight have a wider circle of relatives and friends who also have problems with obesity.
It is interesting that the majority of women interviewed stated that they are ashamed they are obese ,and a quarter of respondents said they would rather suffer from severe depression than being obese.One in ten women said they would rather be totally blind then being fat, writes Daily Mail.