don's report archive

by Donald B. Ardell, Ph. D.

Wellness in the Headlines
(Don's Report to the World)

When my husband came across a report of the study online, he emailed the link to me. He thought it was funny and couldn't imagine anyone taking it seriously. 'Yeah, you laugh until they put me in a boxcar and send me to Fat Land,' I told him.
~Peggy Elam, "On the Whole" website, July 27, 2007.

The obesity epidemic is more than a figure of speech. It is real, and as a consequence of this epidemic, people are becoming uneasy around overweight people. Unless, of course, they are overweight themselves, which most are. Is there any justification for this new form of anxiety? Is there anything about being overweight that should render the heavyset set as objects of fear?

Yes, amazingly enough. The national worry index has just increased as a result of a new report based on data from an old study that obesity is "catching!" (See "Study Says Obesity Can Be Contagious," NY Times, July 25, 2007.) It really IS an epidemic, like bubonic plaque and the influence outbreak after WWI. Before long, the sight of a large person will be as frightening as the former was in the 6th, 14th, and 17th centuries. Those with large BMIs might inspire more terror than the influenza pandemic of 1918-1919. The latter, by the way, was the greatest scourge ever recorded, though the former was not exactly the best of times, either. Yet, the fat scare could be even worse.

The study that unleashed the latest scare is derived from data gained from 12,067 Framingham Heart Study participants tracked over a period of 32 years (1971 through 2003). More than the ill effects of obesity itself, this report, funded by the National Institute on Aging and described in the New England Journal of Medicine, is scaring the public to an extent reminiscent of the fright induced by bubonic plague, which killed two million a year, and the influenza pandemic, which wiped out 25 million a year. How many millions will overweight people infect before this plaque is brought under control?

What explains the central finding, that chances of closest friends of obese people also becoming obese over the next two to four years increases by 171%? What about the higher risks as well for casual friends -- 57%; siblings' -- 40%; and spouses -- 37%? Also, how is it that being overweight is socially contagious among good friends, but less so (though still significant) among family members, neighbors and co-workers? Why is it that, when one person gains weight, her close friends tend to gain weight, too? Does it not work in a "good" way, that is, when an obese person LOSES weight, do her friends lose weight, as well? (The investigators think so, but this possibility could not be established with confidence because nearly everyone gained weight, not lost it, during the 32 years of the study.)

Oddly, it does not seem to matter if friends of the obese live hundreds of miles away. The weight gain "agent," whatever it is, will strike them down, anyway. Well, not "down" - just "strike them" sideways, so to speak, into wider girth.

How do the investigators of this study explain fat being "socially contagious?" One offered this explanation: "Friends affect each others' perception of fatness. When a close friend becomes obese, obesity may not look so bad. You change your idea of what is an acceptable body type by looking at the people around you."

Bingo. This accounts for more than contagious obesity. It explains why so many teens and others smoke, why people drink too much and exercise so little. Basically, it accounts for why "I can't do it." Only those with splendid support systems, particularly health and exuberance-conscious friends and other fortunates who exhibit and thus reinforce each others' wellness tendencies, commitments, attitudes and habits over time, will succeed over the long haul.

If obesity is socially contagious, overweight folks would be wise to look closely at everyone around them, especially those considered good friends. If anyone in one's social circle seems a bit on the heavy side, dump the plump one and seek a new friend. This is particularly important if you plan to continue to eat to excess and exercise little or not at all, yet avoid further weight gains.

Key to the obesity contagion is the "sharing of acceptable norms for weight, not just sharing the same eating and exercise habits," opined another of the study investigators.  (See Nanci Hellmich, "One's weight 'socially contagious,'" USA TODAY, July 26, 2007.)

Given that this is the case, that obesity is contagious in its own fashion, what might sensible people do about this newly discovered reality? How can you personally boost your prospects for sustaining a wellness lifestyle and all the desired results associated with such good lifestyle choices? Must you stay away from good friends, just because they are a little top-heavy? This advice was actually given by one of the study leaders, John Foreyt of Baylor University, though he might have been kidding: "If you are trying to lose or control your weight, pick your friends carefully. You may not want to be around people who are gaining weight or who are too heavy."

Is this any way to treat a friend? Is this a kind, fair, moral or even responsible thing to do, given bonds of friendship and the fact that friends in need could benefit from your good example and support?

No, of course not. You must stand by your man and all your male and female friends. I propose we add, "don't abandon the obese" to the list of common decencies. A more practical solution is for overweight people who can afford it to rent a thin person for a while, particularly one who is certified as practicing a wellness lifestyle. No, there are no certifications for this so far, but I think it might be a lucrative area for training sessions at the next National Wellness Conference. For those who already enjoy living wellness lifestyles and are benefiting from doing so, including keeping a normal or even extra fit, lean frame that some might consider thin or trim, why not get certified as such and make a little money befriending fat people?

I probably should trademark, patent, copyright or otherwise protect and franchise this brainstorm but, what the heck, I'm such a nice guy I'll give away the concept in order to end the obesity epidemic and replace it with a global network of friends helping each other, and making money in the process.

Be well. Always look on the bright side of life.

(Note: This essay will be filed in the archives in the MEANING DOMAIN under the skill area of relationships. Additional articles related to this theme may be found there.)

(Ed. Note: Views expressed in this and other columns are those of the author and not necessarily those of the SeekWellness Editorial Board.)

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