By using this site, you agree to the Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.
Accept
Health Works CollectiveHealth Works CollectiveHealth Works Collective
  • Health
    • Mental Health
  • Policy and Law
    • Global Healthcare
    • Medical Ethics
  • Medical Innovations
  • News
  • Wellness
  • Tech
Search
© 2023 HealthWorks Collective. All Rights Reserved.
Reading: People May Adopt the Diet and Exercise Patterns of the Least Fit in their Peer Group
Share
Notification Show More
Font ResizerAa
Health Works CollectiveHealth Works Collective
Font ResizerAa
Search
Follow US
  • About
  • Contact
  • Privacy
© 2023 HealthWorks Collective. All Rights Reserved.
Health Works Collective > Wellness > Home Health > People May Adopt the Diet and Exercise Patterns of the Least Fit in their Peer Group
Home HealthWellness

People May Adopt the Diet and Exercise Patterns of the Least Fit in their Peer Group

Anthony Cirillo
Anthony Cirillo
Share
2 Min Read
diet and fitness
SHARE

 

 

diet and fitness
Who you follow makes a difference.
The decline in the physical fitness of the U.S. population has been increasingly in the news.
 
Nearly two-thirds of adults are currently overweight, while more than 30% are obese.
 
While societal factors have shifted people toward increased food consumption or decreased exercise, a provocative recent explanation is that the effects of social and environmental factors may be amplified by the person-to-person spread of obesity.
 
A study in which college students were assigned to spend most of their time with 30 other randomly chosen undergraduates shows that people may adopt the diet and exercise patterns of the least fit within a peer group, says a team led by Scott E. Carrell of the University of California-Davis. The data suggests that if half of your friends were to become among the least fit (for reasons unrelated to you), your own fitness level would drop by nearly 20% of a standard deviation. The people most susceptible to being influenced by the least fit are those who are already struggling to maintain their fitness, the researchers say.
 
This explanation has profound implications, as it suggests that social networks can multiply the effects of otherwise smaller changes in the determinants of obesity.
 
Conversely, if social networks are an important determinant of health, policies that increase individual health could conceivably combat the obesity epidemic.
 
So be a good influence!
 
Sources:
http://econweb.tamu.edu/mhoekstra/fitness.pdf and Harvard daily blog
TAGGED:dietexercisefitness
Share This Article
Facebook Copy Link Print
Share

Stay Connected

1.5kFollowersLike
4.5kFollowersFollow
2.8kFollowersPin
136kSubscribersSubscribe

Latest News

a woman walking on the hallway
6 Easy Healthcare Ways to Sit Less and Move More Every Day
Health
September 9, 2025
Clinical Expertise
Healthcare at a Crossroads: Why Leadership Matters More Than Ever
Global Healthcare
September 9, 2025
travel nurse in north carolina
Balancing Speed and Scope: Choosing the Nursing Degree That Fits Your Goals
Nursing
September 1, 2025
intimacy
How to Keep Intimacy Comfortable as You Age
Relationship and Lifestyle Senior Care
September 1, 2025

You Might also Like

Health careSpecialtiesWellness

How to Make the Decision Between a Long Term Facility and an In-Home Nurse for Elderly Relatives?

November 27, 2017
Mental HealthWellness

Why Support For All Ages Is Essential When Dealing With Problems

March 11, 2020
work life balance for doctors street sign
Wellness

Work Life Balance Top 3 Success Factors

June 4, 2012
NAD probiotics
Wellness

5 Powerful Ways to Increase Your NAD Levels

January 22, 2024
Subscribe
Subscribe to our newsletter to get our newest articles instantly!
Follow US
© 2008-2025 HealthWorks Collective. All Rights Reserved.
  • About
  • Contact
  • Privacy
Welcome Back!

Sign in to your account

Username or Email Address
Password

Lost your password?