By David

July 26, 2007 10:18 AM | Link to this

What a bunch of cr*p … everbody knows a fat chick’s friends are always skinny, and hot.

By scott

July 26, 2007 10:38 AM | Link to this

yes, I have seen many friends marry fat/obese spouses, only to become fat/obese themselves. Fat people often put down skinny people because fat people like to universalize that they arent fat, that they are normal, and whoever isnt fat like them is too skinny. They send out this vibe, and many times the skinny person starts to believe this.

By tony

July 26, 2007 10:51 AM | Link to this

Scott,thats the biggest pile of garbage I ever heard.Im fat been fat most of my life,never told anyone they are too skinny.I have friends that are gym rats I praised them for their self discipline.Someone cant make someone else fat, once again Ive had and have normal size friends ,family members and no one gained any weight.

By Jen

July 26, 2007 11:05 AM | Link to this

Everyone needs to be aware that the researchers in the study are NOT saying that obesity is contagious. In fact, they are dismayed that the mainstream media is extrapolating on their real conclusions.

The way I interpret this study is that birds of a feather flock together.

By davedawg

July 26, 2007 11:07 AM | Link to this

This study just seems like common sense to me. Fat people will hang out with fat people and skinny people will hang out with skinny people. Why? Because a person’s friends will generally have the same interests and desires as the other person. So if a person has unhealthy habits then their friends will probably have unhealthy habits. If they have healthy habits then the friends will have healthy habits. Just seems like common sense to me.

By Elle

July 26, 2007 11:07 AM | Link to this

More than 12,000 followed over 30 years… I think it’s safe to say the the study is probably more accurate than the musings of naysayers on this blog.

By Vivian

July 26, 2007 11:12 AM | Link to this

I’ve definitely know family members that seem to carry the same eating habits and are all overweight. I was told by one family member that I wouldn’t lose my weight after having a baby. I did and have returned to my normal size 6 and now they are saying I must be starving myself. Nope, I just started walking more…that’s all.

In fact, after being pregnant, I realized how excess weight can have an effect on your enjoyment of life. When I was pregnant and gained double of what the doctors recommended, every joint in my body was aching. I was more than happy to get that load off.

By Jen

July 26, 2007 11:19 AM | Link to this

Elle, you’re right but what’s been written in the AJC about that study isn’t what the study says. They’re twisting the findings of that study to mean that obesity is contagious and therefore you should feel perfectly fine shunning fat people. And since they’re icky and miserable anyway you don’t have to feel bad about it.

That’s insulting to humanity.

By Misty

July 26, 2007 11:21 AM | Link to this

This is a bunch of crap…

My sister is 42 years old and weighs 115 pounds. Her best friend weighs well over 300 pounds. They have been friends since grade school. My sister would love to gain weight.

So I guess birds of feather “do not” flock together.

By a workplace phenomenon

July 26, 2007 11:24 AM | Link to this

Well I don’t know about the science but it seems like it’s common for female support staff in my office to gain weight. And it’s a very upbeat congenial environment - tho not without its stresses. I have had the experience, ad nauseum, of being singled out by heavier co-workers about how “skinny” I am, and frankly it’s gotten old.

By Amy in the ATL

July 26, 2007 11:37 AM | Link to this

I grew up in Marietta, and I’ve definitely noticed that my high school friends who moved back to the suburbs tend to be overweight, whereas those of us who live intown have stayed slim. And we all have kids, so pregnancy is not the issue. However, I have noticed that my suburban friends all feel that being overweight after having kids is normal, while my intown friends have all lost their baby weight. So yes, I can certainly see how weight (and what weight you consider “normal”) can be influenced by the friends you see most frequently.

By scott

July 26, 2007 11:50 AM | Link to this

People’s worldview generally centers around their own personal acceptance. Most fat people do not view themselves as societies outcasts and undesireables, as others may see them. Instead, many of them see themselves as big boned or curved, big breasts, etc. This viewpoint leads to a universalization that fit people are too skinny, to self absorbed, too materialistic, etc. They try to villify what they cant be, if only to reinforce their own self worth. This agenda definately rubs off on people around them. If somebody you loved kept telling you you were too skinny, wouldnt you start to believe them? That is how it works. Misery loves company.

By Jen

July 26, 2007 11:52 AM | Link to this

Misty, don’t be obtuse. The expression “birds of a feather” isn’t a RULE and you know it. But we all know that people tend to hang out with “like” people. Maybe not all the time, but often. We settle in with people who make us comfortable with ourselves. It’s more than reasonable to suggest that overweight people are more comfortable with other overweight people but that does not imply in any way that they avoid thin people. That would be absurd.

You post one example of something that is contrast and hold it up as proof. Well, I can do that, too. Recall that I am the one who put the Flock Theory out there. However:

1. I am overweight - since the birth of my child. I don’t think it’s perfectly fine, but I haven’t been successful in getting rid of extra weight.
2. However, I live intown, not the burbs. I am in contact with a lot of thin intown moms. I believe I am now dangerous to their health….according to the AJC (not the study, itself).
3. I, too, have some thin friends. In fact, I have many. I have yet to spread my horrible fatness to them. However, after this article, I have warned them they might want to break our friendship….
4. I am married to a man who is a poster-man for physical fitness - I have yet to give him my fat virus despite an active “love” life together. This morning I asked him if he though my contagious fat disease was grounds for divorce. He asked me what crack I was smoking.

Look, I must be proof!

By Stupid Studies

July 26, 2007 12:21 PM | Link to this

The government just keeps on passing out money for STUPID studies, huh? This one qualifies as probably the second or third most rediculous I’ve heard. Here are a few FACTS, not from studies, but from common sense:

1. Fat people are fat because they eat too much and don’t exercise.

2. Skinny people are skinny because their either a) eat less or b)have high metabolism.

3. Fat is about as contagious as ugly.

4. There really needs to be a study on studies.

I have a group of about ten ultra-close friends. 1/3 of them are fat. 1/3 of them are skinny. 1/3 of them are average. All married, all approximately the same age, 1/2 have kids. There is absolutely no correlation between the fatness of the group and the kidded moms. Some gained and kept it. Some gained and lost it.

By AV8R

July 26, 2007 12:28 PM | Link to this

If BS was music you’d be a brass band.

By Peggy

July 26, 2007 12:37 PM | Link to this

I some what agree. When I lived in Savannah, my closest friends were obese. I use to go out to eat with them. While I stood 5’8” at 180, they would tell me that nothing was wrong with my weight especially since I was only big in the breast & butt area. I left Savannah weighing 200lbs. When I moved to Atl, my new friends and coworkers were slim & trim. In 6 months lost 45lbs. Just being around them encouraged me. I would adore the small, cute summer shirts & sun dresses they would often wear. When we would go out, I notice they barely paid for any drinks while I was constantly reaching into my purse. One of the most well kept secrets is being slim is good on the wallet. Since I lost weight, I cannot tell you how many freebies I have received from bartenders, mgrs, bouncers at clubs, etc…..That may sound shallow but it’s the truth. The 2 biggest lifestyle changes that I made are

1 — instead of eatting out at flithy , greasy fast food places with coworkers, I to the gym at lunch. When I return, I have a cup of soup, oatmeal or small sandwich on wheat bread.

THAT ALL!

By Ron Mexico

July 26, 2007 12:48 PM | Link to this

Jen, does your husband also ride mopeds? Just asking.

By Jen

July 26, 2007 12:55 PM | Link to this

Yes because we all know that mopeds means less manly and all that…what a maroon.

By Misty

July 26, 2007 12:59 PM | Link to this

First of all Jen, I never said that statement was truth…I was giving an example of “truth” that went against the so call study. In my comment I mentioned my sister would love to gain weight so if this study had any substance then this would be good news to her. Any way Jen, my statement was not to be held as “proof” just an EXAMPLE!! Are that simple to think you should break off friendships to keep your friends from becoming fat like you. Instead of arguing with me about a study, you should do something about being fat.

By SowhatImfat

July 26, 2007 1:08 PM | Link to this

Ok so I am fat and I do not have any fat friends. I found that hanging out with other fat people brings me down. But I have seen them get free drinks and men hit on them all the time so Peggy it’s just not skinny people who get free stuff. I’m fat because my body just won’t lose the weight. I work out all the time and watch what I put in my mouth but still nothing happens. I think this study is stupid! My skinny friends eat way more than I do and never gain a pound. When we go out I suggest we go out and party and they want to go have dinner. So it’s not fat people that eat all the time. I will keep my skinny friends over my fat friends anyday!!!

By no pat answers

July 26, 2007 1:59 PM | Link to this

Let me add a couple of additional reasons for thinness to some of the previous posts: A person might be thin due to illness, depression, an eating disorder, excessive exercise, or that wonderful quality we all admire, being able to take or leave food. I think in our affluent society, with food advertising everywhere you look, we have more food available and a lot of folks will eat whatever’s in front of them and there are those who have an excessive appetite. If heavy people are ok with it, why is everyone always dieting? I think there’s a world of difference between being heavy from eating too much at meals but being healthy otherwise and not having a disorder, and being heavy due to secret binges and living in shame. It’s very hard and my heart goes out to those who struggle. Also there are those who just can’t lose weight even with effort and exercise. Happily, I think we are getting more cute fashions so anyone can look good.

By Jen

July 26, 2007 2:10 PM | Link to this

Lordy, Misty, you have a thin skin.

By Peggy

July 26, 2007 2:24 PM | Link to this

Sowhat……..don’t even go there

At what rate do you think fat women get free drinks compared to slim women. Maybe 20 to 1????

You are probabaly the one who yells, SLIM PEOPLE GET DIABETES TOO when 80% of people with diabetes are overweight.

Try to argue with this. Smaller clothes are cheaper.

By Debbie

July 26, 2007 2:31 PM | Link to this

I’ve been overweight and underweight. I’ve never picked my friends based on appearance and never felt the need to do so. None of my friend’s weight changed when mine changed. All overweight people did not become that way because of overeating and none exercise. Serious illness’s, medication, etc have a part to play. What about people in wheelchairs that can’t get up and run a mile, do we shun them because they may have a few extra pounds on them? The bad news here is that more moron’s than usual will pick friends based on appearance. And that’s really sad !

By Ms. Writer

July 26, 2007 2:46 PM | Link to this

I have fat friends, skinny friends, average friends and friends who put in the work to have amazing bodies. It is ok to be different…it is not ok to be overweight from a health standpoint. I am not skinny but I have been lazy and have changed my behavior, I don’t want to be skinny like Paris Hilton, but I don’t want to be pre diabetic either

By SowhatImfat

July 26, 2007 3:24 PM | Link to this

Peggy you are a ugly witch. Pull the broom stick out your butt. I was just stating that some pretty overweight people get free drinks too. Skinny people do not rule the world sweetie. I do not condone being fat and nor do I not shout out to the world skinny people get diabities because I know that is not true. Grow up and eat something

By Fat attracts fat

July 26, 2007 3:30 PM | Link to this

The only “activities” my fat acquaintances want to do is go out to eat, go to the movies and eat huge tubs of lard-covered popcorn with candy and the ubiquitous diet soda, and go to each other’s houses for meals/snacks/food.

My thin and healthy acquaintances are willing to do activities, both physical - cycling, tennis, golf, swimming - and intellectual - an art opening, a museum, a reading or play.

I’m thin and healthy. Guess who I want to hang around with?

There’s the stereotype that fat people are lazy. Maybe it’s not true, maybe some of them do have legitimate medical conditions. But I am SO SICK AND TIRED of listening to fat people whine about how fat they are while cramming a Snickers bar (you know, for energy) down their throats.

A little activity and a little self-control wouldn’t hurt anyone, even my skinnier brethren.

So, in answer to the question. Is being fat contagious? No. But fat attracts fat … and lazy attracts lazy.

By Fat attracts fat

July 26, 2007 3:31 PM | Link to this

The only “activities” my fat acquaintances want to do is go out to eat, go to the movies and eat huge tubs of lard-covered popcorn with candy and the ubiquitous diet soda, and go to each other’s houses for meals/snacks/food.

My thin and healthy acquaintances are willing to do activities, both physical - cycling, tennis, golf, swimming - and intellectual - an art opening, a museum, a reading or play.

I’m thin and healthy. Guess who I want to hang around with?

There’s the stereotype that fat people are lazy. Maybe it’s not true, maybe some of them do have legitimate medical conditions. But I am SO SICK AND TIRED of listening to fat people whine about how fat they are while cramming a Snickers bar (you know, for energy) down their throats.

A little activity and a little self-control wouldn’t hurt anyone, even my skinnier brethren.

So, in answer to the question … Is being fat contagious? No. But fat attracts fat … and lazy attracts lazy.

By Fat attracts fat

July 26, 2007 3:34 PM | Link to this

Sorry for the double post, y’all :-)

By Roxie

July 26, 2007 3:35 PM | Link to this

People need to stop thinking that thin=healthy! It does not! Even when I was at my most atheltic (doing cardio 4 times a week and swim aerobics 2 times a week) I was still heavier than my roomate who did nothing but eat junk food and sleep all day.

By In the Middle

July 26, 2007 3:44 PM | Link to this

Do you think if I keep an equal number of skinny and fat friends I can maintain a “normal” weight?

By Peggy

July 26, 2007 4:45 PM | Link to this

To Sowhatiamfat

Don’t get mad at me because by your own admission you can’t lose weight no matter what you do. SOUND LIKE A PERSONAL PROBLEM.

To Fat attracts fat, you are right on point. I have one obese girlfriend and the only time she will leaver her house is to go out to eat. I have called her and asked her to go to plays at Fox or the Civic center. One time the tickets were free. All she was worried about was the walking distance from the car to her seat. Anytime I ask her to go out to dinner, she is the first one ready. She is constantly whinning and literly crying about her weight. My friend has every disease associated with obesity. She stays home all day doped up on pain meds for knees, high blood pressure medicine, diabetes meds, etc…. No matter what time I call, she is sleep. How do you help someone like that?

By charliejoe

July 26, 2007 5:15 PM | Link to this

Peggy, Your friend sounds like she’s depressed. Help her by convincing her (insist on giving her a ride, etc.) to go to the doctor. She might find some SSRIs will help lose weight more than all the Alli in the world. Just my suggestion. I would also say that anyone who is obese has underlying mental troubles of some sort that lead to the obesity. I know it’s partly metabolic, but you don’t become quite obese without some underlying problem most of the time…

That being said, I much prefer skinny (well, not fat) girls for dating, although it seems much easier to find fat chicks who are good to go. I guess fat folks know they generally have to lower their standards (like to include me :))

By I am the effect of obsessive exercise

July 26, 2007 5:29 PM | Link to this

Unfortunately, from a lifetime of too much exercise trying to stay thin, I have tendonitis everywhere and can no longer be as active as I would like and once was. I know, boo-hoo. I say no to myself a million times a day rather than get heavy - just too much unhappiness associated with my heavy childhood.

By Jen

July 26, 2007 5:42 PM | Link to this

Charliejoe that’s a terrible thing to say…that fit chicks have lower standards…when it comes to dating expectations shouldn’t revolve around looks. It’s more like that fat chicks have learned to make something else the pinnacle of expectations. Like character.

I say this as a fat chick who chose based on character and still ended up with a hunk (because his standards were like mine…not based on bodyweight).

But you’re right, a lot of obesity can be found to be linked to mental troubles. But also on lack of knowledge about health, like in the poor.

My own problems are a combination of metabolic (I have THE most wacked out endocrine system…constantly being tracked by my endo because my thyroid and adrenals won’t stabilize) and a mild depression. The mild depression comes from the metabolic issues, too. The metabolic problems I have make me extraordinarily exhausted and lower my metabolism so much that even my current habit of exercise 4 days a week doesn’t work for weight loss. The depression comes in because after dealing with exhaustion and a losing battle with weight over 8 years you start to feel hopeless. And when you feel hopeless that 6 pack of Sierra Nevada Pale Ale (at 200 calories a pop) while sitting out at Neighbors pub with your friends nibbling on all kinds of pub crap (and the skinny friends are eating it, too) really sounds appealing.

By The Pegster

July 26, 2007 6:46 PM | Link to this

Is obesity contagious? Only if you eat fat people but then cannibalism is and should be discouraged.

The real cause of obesity is dieting!

The hypothalamus gland which regulates metabolism can not tell the difference between “she dieted” and “she was in a famine” so it helps us regain any lost weight, plus more.

If you hang with friends who diet and do so yourself, you’re all together in a lost cause. When I quit ‘dieting’ and began thinking of myself as a ‘normal’ eater, the weight began to drop off at 3 to 6 pounds a month. No diet, no deprivation and no regain.

75+ pounds down and still going!

The Pegster

By WheelchairBound

July 26, 2007 7:00 PM | Link to this

   I am a fat woman. Unapologetically, unabashedly fat. I have an extra-wide wheelchair because I'm comfortable in it. I'm a valuable person, no matter what my body can or cannot do, or what its dimensions are. I don't have a problem with how much space I take up, or the fact that I'm in a wheelchair and require a ramp or other accommodations to enter buildings.

   I don't measure my value by whether or not anyone buys me drinks or anything else to demonstrate sexual interest. For one thing, I've never been the kind of female who hangs out in bars. Measuring one's worth by what men are willing to buy or pay for you is, to the best of my knowledge, only important in one profession. I'm not a prostitute. I refuse to judge myself by their standards.

   I do judge my worth by who I am and what I do. Thankfully, I have far more outside contact than someone in my place (nearly homebound) would have had 15-20 years ago. I'm politically active and do a significant amount of volunteer work. I have a rich spiritual life. I attend college classes online, and am very close to graduating with a 4.0 GPA.

   Not that it matters much, but I wasn't fat before I was disabled. I have a neurological disease that causes extreme pain. I can choose between taking just enough pain medication to push back the pain and be coherent, so that I can interact with the rest of the world, or take more and be knocked out in the bed all the time. The condition isn't curable. It isn't going to get better. It's genetic.

   I can't dance, hike, ride horses, bicycle, or do the workouts I used to enjoy at the gym now. I don't have access to a pool, or a way to get to one, since I can't drive and don't have anyone who could get me to a pool if I did have access to one while my husband works.

   My blood pressure, cholesterol, blood sugar, etc. are fine. They were fine before I was disabled, and they continue to be just dandy. If I weren't eating well, they wouldn't be fine, as my family of origin has given me strong tendencies to problems in all three areas. One side effect of the various drugs I take, though, is weight gain. I’ve had to be careful of my weight since I had an eating disorder as a teen, and now I can't do much about it.

   Of a necessity, my activities are sedentary ones - listening to or making music, reading, writing, good conversation, games, creating web sites, movies, needlework, etc. I treasure what's left to me. It's more than some people have. 

   Go ahead and toss your generalizations around about people eating fast food crap, or being depressed or choosing to be fat. Try to make size a matter of morality. I've heard it all. I've read the research - in fact, I've been following it for many years. 

   It's acceptable to show bigotry to fat people. A judge in the UK recently stated that a chubby pre-teen probably enjoyed the attention she received from a gang of rapists because, after all, she wouldn't get any from other boys. While low-weight births are always used as signs of problems, the war on obesity is now using increasing birth weights (which reasonable doctors in the world health community point to as <b>good signs</b> of improving overall child welfare and prenatal care) as part of the "obesity epidemic. There are, in fact, increasing numbers of low-birth-weight babies born to mothers who have plenty of money and access to health care - they just don't eat enough because they're terrified of getting FAT!

   The "war on obesity" will be every bit as expensive, ineffective, and dangerous to civil rights as the "war on drugs" and the "war on terrorism." Take time to look back at both of those before you buy further into this war against a faceless enemy with no borders.

By WheelchairBound

July 26, 2007 7:19 PM | Link to this

Well, that didn’t work, for some reason. I can’t find a way to delete or edit it, either.

I’ll try again - please forgive me.

First, I seriously recommend that anyone who actually has any interest in the truth behind this article read Sandy Szwarc’s excellent analysis. Ms. Szwarc’s blog, Junkfood Science, is a reliable source of solid information as an alternative to media hype about health.

In this case, the article in question isn’t a study at all. It’s a paper based on a computer animation that created a virtual reality. Well, yee haw. Let’s just get all our news from Second Life, why don’t we? I’m sure they can do all the research over there for much less money! And, hey, they won’t have to test anything on real animals! They can use virtual furries!

As for the previous posts, I am a fat woman. Unapologetically, unabashedly fat. I have an extra-wide wheelchair because I’m comfortable in it. I’m a valuable person, no matter what my body can or cannot do, or what its dimensions are. I don’t have a problem with how much space I take up, or the fact that I’m in a wheelchair and require a ramp or other accommodations to enter buildings.

I don’t measure my value by whether or not anyone buys me drinks or anything else to demonstrate sexual interest. For one thing, I’ve never been the kind of female who hangs out in bars. Measuring one’s worth by what men are willing to buy or pay for you is, to the best of my knowledge, only important in one profession. I’m not a prostitute. I refuse to judge myself by their standards.

I do judge my worth by who I am and what I do. Thankfully, I have far more outside contact than someone in my place (nearly homebound) would have had 15-20 years ago. I’m politically active and do a significant amount of volunteer work. I have a rich spiritual life. I attend college classes online, and am very close to graduating with a 4.0 GPA.

Not that it matters much, but I wasn’t fat before I was disabled. I have a neurological disease that causes extreme pain. I can choose between taking just enough pain medication to push back the pain and be coherent, so that I can interact with the rest of the world, or take more and be knocked out in the bed all the time. The condition isn’t curable. It isn’t going to get better. It’s genetic.

I can’t dance, hike, ride horses, bicycle, or do the workouts I used to enjoy at the gym now. I don’t have access to a pool, or a way to get to one, since I can’t drive and don’t have anyone who could get me to a pool if I did have access to one while my husband works.

My blood pressure, cholesterol, blood sugar, etc. are fine. They were fine before I was disabled, and they continue to be just dandy. If I weren’t eating well, they wouldn’t be fine, as my family of origin has given me strong tendencies to problems in all three areas. One side effect of the various drugs I take, though, is weight gain. I’ve had to be careful of my weight since I had an eating disorder as a teen, and now I can’t do much about it.

Of a necessity, my activities are sedentary ones - listening to or making music, reading, writing, good conversation, games, creating web sites, movies, needlework, etc. I treasure what’s left to me. It’s more than some people have.

Go ahead and toss your generalizations around about people eating fast food crap, or being depressed or choosing to be fat. Try to make size a matter of morality. I’ve heard it all. I’ve read the research - in fact, I’ve been following it for many years.

It’s acceptable to show bigotry to fat people. A judge in the UK recently stated that a chubby pre-teen probably enjoyed the attention she received from a gang of rapists because, after all, she wouldn’t get any from other boys. While low-weight births are always used as signs of problems, the war on obesity is now using increasing birth weights (which reasonable doctors in the world health community point to as good signs of improving overall child welfare and prenatal care) as part of the “obesity epidemic. There are, in fact, increasing numbers of low-birth-weight babies born to mothers who have plenty of money and access to health care - they just don’t eat enough because they’re terrified of getting FAT!

The “war on obesity” will be every bit as expensive, ineffective, and dangerous to civil rights as the “war on drugs” and the “war on terrorism.” Take time to look back at both of those before you buy further into this war against a faceless enemy with no borders.

By sowhatimfat

July 26, 2007 11:18 PM | Link to this

Peggy it’s not a personal problem its a medical problem and it sounds like your friend only wants you to go out to eat with her so she doesn’t have to eat alone. Who can blame her? I would do the same thing if I have to put up with you….

By DB

July 27, 2007 1:41 AM | Link to this

Now what are doctors(and parents) supposed to do because of a study like this? What is the purpose of all this?

I can see it now.

Doctor: Ma’am, you need not to let Johnny hang around Bobby and Billy because they’re obese because that gives him a 57% chance he will be obese. Letting him eat junkfood like a horse, gulp soda by the gallon, watch 5 hours of TV a day, and play video games for 2 hours a day has nothing to do with it.

Mom: But Doctor, he just doesn’t listen to me… :( What do I do? Oh, no, I have to go. It’s almost time for Dr. Phil! And I have to stop at McDonald’s on the way home to get my Number 3 King Sized with a Diet Coke(so I feel better about eating like a pig)! Johny’s problem will go away if I just ignore it and pretend it’s not there.

Come on! Let’s get to the root of problems in our society and quit focusing on the symptoms! This is ridiculous!

I can’t wait for the next study:

Is stupidity contagious?

Disclaimer: This is sarcasm.

By DB

July 27, 2007 1:56 AM | Link to this

I wonder if this study compensated for factors such as the fact that skinny people tend to hang around skinny people, fat with fat, etc. mostly because of similar experiences as far as being shunned from or accepted into certain groups. In other words, maybe the people who were 57% more likely to become obese were just overweight at the beginning and already on their way to obesity and hung around obese people because they felt more accepted. Who knows? The same may go for the skinny side, which, I’m sure, wasn’t included in the study. And who knows how many were in sports like football, wrestling, or running, which could show all extremes?

My conclusion: This study shows that people hang around people with physical and personal similarities.

Above all. Who cares what this study has uncovered? Really?

I’ve got some obese friends I need to call and cut off the relationship for fear that I might become obese!

By Peggy

July 27, 2007 6:13 PM | Link to this

To sowhatimfat

My friend is a big fat doped up obese woman who like to eat and do nothing else. You are so dumb! Going out to dinner requires more conversation than going to a play. If I am hanging out with someone I don’t like, I would not go to dinner.

By Peggy

July 27, 2007 6:26 PM | Link to this

To FAT AZZ BOUND WHEEL CHAIR WOMAN….

You preach what all OBESE women preach. I don’t judge my worth on what people buy me. Did you learn that in therapy? I have had TONS of fat friends who use to preach that same BS. After they had bypass surgury, it was a different story. I couldn’t keep up with their club schedule. Two of them were so embarrassing that I had to have a heart to heart talk & explain that slender women do not entertain every loser that approach you. They were acting like fat losers in slimmer bodies making up for lost time. I heard everything from they were so depressed to being suicidal. They would admit to pretending to the happy fat chick. They call it the Monique symdrome.

By NFC = No Fat Chicks

July 28, 2007 3:46 PM | Link to this

I’m 6’1” and 177, and I get told all the time how skinny I am. Skinny? I’m only 13 pounds away from being classified as overweight. When I get south of 165, then we can talk about skinny.

By WheelchairBound

July 30, 2007 7:26 AM | Link to this

Goodness, Peggy! So much anger! What’s wrong? Too few men lining up to buy drinks for you? Or is your blood alcohol level slipping a little too low while you talk trash about your “friends” before hitting the clubs? From your language skills, it’s hard to tell if you’re sober or not.

What is obvious is that you can’t manage to focus on any of the FACTS here, such as the FACT that the article was based on a non-existent “study.”

All but one of your posts has mentioned the “free drinks” thing, so your priorities are quite clear. I’m told that AA has meetings every day in most large cities, possibly one in most areas of a metro area like Atlanta each day! Do yourself a favor and consider it.

That’s the last time I’ll be checking on this thread, but it won’t be the last time I refute this particular excuse-for-hate-speech pseudonews crap.

By John Dobson

August 16, 2007 5:33 PM | Link to this

There is no doubt in my mind that social and environmental factors contribute to obesity. But, I believe the hundreds of studies that remain un-noticed by the media that show genetic factors contribute in a “huge” way to the problem. We as a society wish to place blame on the individual. Overheard at a McDonald’s,”Gees, hasn’t she ever heard of a salad?” You can bet that “she” has seen more salads and lowfat foods in her lifetime than the normal sized woman making the comment. The study even claimed that a person separated by thousands of miles can make another fat. This is pure unadulterated drivel. We should get our money back from this study! Perhaps we should blame an Alzhiemers victim for his her disorder, “Well, you know he /she never was much for books. I think his/her brain just shrived from disuse!” Yes, people do get angry over this issue as they should. How about this one,” I know this guy who is black and thousands of miles away his girlfriend is black also!” Is being of color contagious too? I think stupidity may be contagious.