Did you know there’s a strong correlation between our habits, and who we spend time with? Researchers tell us that if we are regularly around someone, we start to become like them. This is usually thought to reflect in people’s opinions and attitudes; having a mutual regard for certain things, like the law or education for example.

However, it now seems that we also have weight challenges in common with those we associate with. The amount we eat is closely related to how much our best friends eat. An interesting study looking at how young people eat found that oversized children eat more when in the company of other oversized friends.

Indeed, all the young people studied (aged 9 to 15) ate more when they were with friends than strangers regardless of their size. But the greatest calorific intakes were observed when overweight chums snacked together. The results of this study revealed several key factors. It found that friends have a key function where consumption is concerned.

Candidly it’s no great revelation that many ate more when in the company of friends. That would doubtless be the same if adults had been surveyed. What’s more, as our friends don’t usually challenge what we do, we assume that means they condone our behaviour. Subconsciously we’re placing the permission ball in someone else’s court.

The researchers observed a whole mix of young people for this study. They were split into groups of two friends, or groups of two strangers. All were furnished with nibbles, fruit and vegetables. They also had various games to keep them occupied.

With each of the pairs, the ones who knew each other before the experiment got through more food than the ones who didn’t. However, the heavier friends tucked away the most. And the differences were quite significant.

The overweight pals who were paired up ate 738 calories each on average. And yet 300 cals less were consumed by the larger guys when they teamed up with a pal of normal weight. Interestingly the normal weight guys stabilized at around 500 cals irrespective of what their pal’s weight was. Comparable evidence of strong influence from friends is evident in attitudes to alcohol consumption by teens.

This led the researchers to suggest that young people’s eating habits are largely determined by their social network. Yet this power of association can be beneficial, as positive influences are just as possible as negative ones. Healthy nutrition then should be part of every child’s curriculum.

(C) Scott Edwards. Check out WeightLossDietWar.com for the best information on body slimming and medical weight management.

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