Overweight Individuals also have Overweight Friends

As the saying goes, “birds of the same feathers flock together”, a recent study in Southern California found out that overweight youth are twice as likely to have overweight friends.

Researchers from the Institute of Prevention Research at the Keck School of Medicine of the University of Southern California have found out that overweight individuals also have overweight friends, based on school surveys.

The link between social networks and obesity is already expected; however, it is quite surprising how strong the peer effect is and how it starts early in life.

Recent data had shown a connection between overweight adults  and their social peers; however,  a more recent study was conducted on adolescents and showed the same results despite a stronger statistical model used.

According to researchers these findings will certainly raise health concerns because when children started to mingle only with people who have similar weight status, then it can cause a reinforcement of a negative behavior which causes obesity.

Aside from finding out that overweight adolescents have more overweight friends than normal weight friends, the researchers have also found out that overweight girls name more friends but are less likely to be labeled as a friend unlike normal weight girls.

Because of this findings, the researchers are suggesting that interventions should be done before it can lead to a greater social stigma. Parents and teachers should be sensitive enough to recognize that obesity in adolescents can also bring social consequences and that many behaviors related to obesity can be developed.

Stopping Overeating to Achieve Weight Loss

Overeating is the most common problems encountered by overweight individuals. Overeating has something to do with the person’s self control; however, it can also be associated with stress. A person who is facing a stressful situation would find comfort in eating; but, this can be exaggerated and a simple eating would result to overeating.

Overeating is a problem that needs to be resolved immediately because it can lead to other problems such as becoming overweight.

It has been a rule, that one should eat whenever hunger is felt; however, no one said when is the right time to stop eating. Good thing, experts did find out how to overcome the problem of overeating. Here are some ways on stopping overeating to achieve weight loss.

Do not eat fast. Eating fast will not let you to properly digest the food that you are eating. It is recommended to eat slowly so that the food will be thoroughly digested. According to recent studies, the brain receives food satisfaction signals in 12 minutes for a thin person, while 20 minutes or more for an obese individual.

Focus while eating. It is advisable that your mind is focused while you are eating instead of doing other things. If you are doing other things while eating, you are distracted as well as your body functions. Your brain might fail to register that you are eating and you would tend to eat more.

Select foods that are satisfying. Do not choose foods that will give a lot of calories. Rather, you should eat foods that are rich in fiber as it increases the bulk in the diet. Aside from that, you can also try foods that are rich in vitamins, minerals, and protein because it will take a while to digest unlike simple carbohydrates.