Nicky’s News

Watch out! According to a recent study you could get fat by being around people who are obese. I watched the news report on television as reporters chatted about how that made sense, because you would be eating the same things as the obese person. The New York Times article about this reads,

“Obesity can spread from person to person, much like a virus, researchers are reporting today. When a person gains weight, close friends tend to gain weight, too.”

Seriously? Are we really going to blame others for our fatness? Just because your spouse, friends or coworkers are obese you could become obese too? You have got to be kidding me! This society seems to push around blame. Does anyone take responsibility for their own actions? I’ve gained weight in the past few years and that is because I am not eating properly and exercising enough. If I eat that entire cake it is because I chose to eat the entire cake. It is no one else’s fault but my own. According to the study, your chances of becoming obese increase by 57% if you have an obese friend, even if that obese friend lives miles away from you. Here’s a quote from researcher. Dr. Christakis:  “You change your idea of what is an acceptable body type by looking at the people around you”. Really? I had an anorexic friend so if I became anorexic I could blame her? I didn’t find her body type acceptable. I know the bottom line is that if you hang around with people who eat right and workout on a regular basis you’ll end up doing the same…maybe. And if you hang out with people who sit at a buffet all day you’ll end up doing the same…maybe.

I still believe self-discipline and responsibility should be a given. If you eat the Twinkie that’s on you, not your friend.