I’m fat because of you
posted at 8:14 pm on July 25, 2007 by Allahpundit
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And the worst part is, you don’t even care.
Could your best friend make you fat?
Researchers who have studied “networks” of obesity think so: they found that if someone’s friend becomes obese, that person’s chances of becoming obese increase by more than half.
Siblings and spouses also have an influence, although a reduced one — people whose siblings became obese were themselves 40 percent more likely to grow obese, while people whose spouses became obese were 37 percent more likely to.
“This is the first (study) to show how obesity spreads through the social network from person to person to person,” James Fowler of the University of California, San Diego, who worked on the study, told a telephone briefing…
If someone became obese, their friends were 57 percent more likely to become obese over the 32 years, they found. If people named one another as contacts, they were 171 percent, or more than double, as likely to become obese if the other did.
The good news is it works the other way too. Exit question: Isn’t the obvious healthy solution to lead life as a shut-in with no contact with the outside world beyond one’s own cable modem? Ahem.
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Exit: yes, and the savings on personal grooming supplies is astounding.
bbz123 on July 25, 2007 at 8:17 PM
Elizabeth Hasselbeck made Rosie fat. And a lesbian. Elizabeth Hasselbeck certainly made ME a lesbian for her. Not fat though, I don’t let myself go until I settle down.
BKennedy on July 25, 2007 at 8:18 PM
Probably because your best friend works at Pizza Hut.
Asher on July 25, 2007 at 8:19 PM
That lifestyle has limited my diet to canned soup and things that can be quickly made on a George Foreman grill, and its actually working out for me fairly well.
Savage on July 25, 2007 at 8:19 PM
I am fat because I overeat my husband’s FABULOUS cooking, and I do NOT get up out of my chair. I blame Hotair.com and LGF.
Couldn’t POSSIBLY be my fault!
Even though I have a pool and an ocean close by to swim and walk even.
Still, it is because your content keeps my butt glued!
CrimsonFisted on July 25, 2007 at 8:24 PM
I’m getting pretty close to that… But it doesn’t seem to be making me any more slim. Maybe exercising more than my eyes, typing fingers and mouse hand would help.
LegendHasIt on July 25, 2007 at 8:25 PM
Surprise, surprise. Now, who earmarked the funds for this farce . . . Fienstien or Boxer?
rplat on July 25, 2007 at 8:29 PM
The answer: Very Heavy X-box controllers!
profitsbeard on July 25, 2007 at 8:30 PM
How to get Fat, Boston Style (content warning)
TheBigOldDog on July 25, 2007 at 8:32 PM
And I have no friends, but I’m still fat. So this is non-sequitorius hoo-ha.
eeyore on July 25, 2007 at 8:33 PM
You know this may sound crazy, but I bet if they did a study of computer geeks vs TV couch potatoes they would find the geeks are slimmer and healthier. The tube is so passive what is there to do but sit there and munch. You actually expend some calories on an interactive PC in comparision.
Resolute on July 25, 2007 at 8:36 PM
this is so moronic
i’m fat, my friends by and large aren’t
Defector01 on July 25, 2007 at 8:40 PM
I guess that explains the whiskers growing out of my nose and the perpetual urge to lick myself in unmentionable places. (My talking collie is my best friend, ya’know.)
CyberCipher on July 25, 2007 at 8:45 PM
Only if your boss buys you an iPhone.
F15Mech on July 25, 2007 at 8:50 PM
Maybe. But maybe the solution rests in the starving children of Africa adopting an obese American. The child can offer pictures of himself for goal setting, and motivation.
Weight of Glory on July 25, 2007 at 8:53 PM
Heh. “by and large” Heh, heh.
Weight of Glory on July 25, 2007 at 8:55 PM
As a fat guy, can I just say, to the media and the perpetually punitive: LEAVE ME ALONE, FOR CRYING OUT LOUD!
Honestly, it’s hard enough to deal with my own weight issues without constantly hearing about how I’m hurting society, too. Hey, guess what? I’m probably going to drop dead prematurely, so I won’t be taxing the precious healthcare industry all that much after all. Plus, if I have to be responsible for my own fatness, then you do, too. You don’t get to blame me if you can’t stop stuffing your face.
This bs really gets aggravating…
Kensington on July 25, 2007 at 8:59 PM
People of Girth are broadening their horizons?
profitsbeard on July 25, 2007 at 9:00 PM
Alternate headline: “Fat people gobble up friend’s influence”
Weight of Glory on July 25, 2007 at 9:02 PM
“Fat People Eat Their Own”
Weight of Glory on July 25, 2007 at 9:02 PM
“The Danger of Second-hand Fat”
Weight of Glory on July 25, 2007 at 9:03 PM
I’ve lost 21 pounds since this winter. It CAN be done. I’m using weight watchers online to help me. The big epiphany has been how overly large my portions have been in the past, and how full of fat the food is that I used to eat.
Mojave Mark on July 25, 2007 at 9:05 PM
I blame the moonbat fast for my weight gain.
Mojack420 on July 25, 2007 at 9:06 PM
I have to eat as much as I do. I am under contractual obligations due to the agreement between me and Lohan, regarding fat offsets. I eat pie others aren’t willing to eat.
Weight of Glory on July 25, 2007 at 9:06 PM
Friends are so overrated.
terryannonline on July 25, 2007 at 9:07 PM
Did you mean overweighted”
Weight of Glory on July 25, 2007 at 9:08 PM
Excellent point!
Dork B. on July 25, 2007 at 9:13 PM
I think she meant Overeated.
Dork B. on July 25, 2007 at 9:15 PM
I’m suing my fat friends immediately.
JayHaw Phrenzie on July 25, 2007 at 9:16 PM
HA! Great!
Weight of Glory on July 25, 2007 at 9:17 PM
You know, I wouldn’t be surprised if that is exactly the end towards which this is intended to go.
Weight of Glory on July 25, 2007 at 9:20 PM
Orrr…. could it be… that your LIFESTYLE is what makes you fat… and you choose freinds who have the same type of lifestyle you have???
Romeo13 on July 25, 2007 at 9:22 PM
It sure would reduce your carbon footprint. You might even be able to sell carbon credits to the Goracle.
Dr.Cwac.Cwac on July 25, 2007 at 9:26 PM
I’m fat because there’s a lot of me to love.
I’m fat because I’m preparing for a role in an upcoming local theater production.
I’m fat because I’m just big boned. And clinically obese.
I’m fat because my friends told me all the cool kids were doing it.
Thank you very much, I’ll be here all night! (Eating doritos.)
Dork B. on July 25, 2007 at 9:32 PM
Or be anti-social in a social setting by bringing your own low-glycemic food to eat or only go to eateries with low glycemic index food.
I lost 30 lbs. this way and didn’t gain mailbox filler friends.
Mcguyver on July 25, 2007 at 9:33 PM
And an IPhone, AP.
BacaDog on July 25, 2007 at 9:35 PM
Baloney, I have friends of all shapes, sizes and colors, and none of them influence my weight. They may get me under the influence at times, but they don’t cause me to gain or lose weight.
Kini on July 25, 2007 at 9:41 PM
I don’t need know stinking cable modem. With my wireless card I can contact the virtual world from the world outside without contacting worldly people. Anyway getting old is excuse enough for getting fat.
TunaTalon on July 25, 2007 at 9:43 PM
So…
“Hippos of a Feather, Herd Together.”
or, sumpthin’ like that
franksalterego on July 25, 2007 at 9:44 PM
This flies in the face of the hot girl with the fat friend at the club.
I feel a “your friend (mama) so fat” thread coming on…
maybe not
/inside giggles, shifting eyes
sunny on July 25, 2007 at 9:52 PM
This study reminds me of that Cheers episode Woody Goes Belly Up:
I think there’s some truth to the study: I definitely eat more when I’m “socially eating,” and tend to pack on a couple of extra pounds during the holidays.
zb42 on July 25, 2007 at 9:54 PM
And this will eventually de-volve into:
“Drop that burger. Put your hands on top of your head.
You are under arrest.
You are charged with making people fat through your choices.”
Yay.
Ryan Gandy on July 25, 2007 at 10:27 PM
I blame my weight on the fact that I can’t get any beautiful, gorgeous babe of a personal trainer to work under me. Uhh, I mean over me. I mean WITH me. Sheesh.
I need some pizza. It’s the only thing that dulls the pain, my only escape from the reality that Jessica Alba will never, ever love me. :-(
Lincoln on July 25, 2007 at 10:40 PM
Being fat is relative
If all your relatives are fat
You probably are too… or will be.
normsrevenge on July 25, 2007 at 11:29 PM
the 420 doesn’t help things either my friend! ;-)
The Sinner on July 26, 2007 at 12:07 AM
Are you saying that your personal experience disproves conclusions from 32 years worth of data? What reason do you have to doubt the statistics from this study?
You may not personally be a burden on the healthcare system, but there’s no denying that obesity on the whole has been a huge burden. Hospital treatment for diabetics is a big example. You’re right to say that no one should draw the conclusion that other people being obese is your fault (I don’t think either the article or the study were implying this). But studying the spread of obesity is pretty important, and successful preventative measures can be devised as a result of studies like this.
I don’t see why everyone on here is so against this study being done or disagrees with its conclusions.
tneloms on July 26, 2007 at 12:49 AM
Okay. So somebody just HAD to post this link.
CyberCipher on July 26, 2007 at 1:14 AM
There’s many advantages to being fat. Just take Al’s word for it. No, the weird…er, not the Gore one: .
ricelchew on July 26, 2007 at 4:56 AM
There’s many advantages to being fat. Just take Al’s word for it. No, the weird…er, not the Gore one: FAT.
ricelchew on July 26, 2007 at 4:57 AM
Thank heaven! Another area of my life for which I don’t need to accept responsibility.
oldleprechaun on July 26, 2007 at 5:24 AM
Is Allah fat? I always pictured him as [cooly handsome and yet] dangerously thin — like me after two years of grad school making four grand a year.
Maybe Hot Air could sponsor a “Draw Allah” contest, and the one who comes closest wins, like, an iPhone. I don’t know who’d judge, though. Has Michelle ever seen him?
saint kansas on July 26, 2007 at 5:29 AM
Here is some shocking news; in the next 32 years we will all be a little fatter or dead. How many people weigh the same at 45 years old as they did at 13 years old? How many weigh less at 55 than 23?
Thank you, thank you, now give me the government grant.
right2bright on July 26, 2007 at 7:51 AM
Well, Allah, I think MM would be in favor of that for you. As a shut in you’d have no need for an iPhone.
srhoades on July 26, 2007 at 7:51 AM
It’s true especially if your freinds are Sara Lee and Bud Weiser.
peacenprosperity on July 26, 2007 at 8:12 AM
heh. I’m trying to gain a few pounds. Aint too fun walking around on a windy day, not having enough mass to stay planted on the ground. Think about that!
flipflopper on July 26, 2007 at 9:28 AM
fat people? on my Hotair.com?
jambus59 on July 26, 2007 at 10:13 AM
That’s hilarious b/c that’s the same picture I had of him. Dark hair, right?
hollygolightly on July 26, 2007 at 10:21 AM
Exit Answer: No.
gryphon202 on July 26, 2007 at 11:17 AM
This reminds me of an old Dilbert strip, where Dilbert went from telecommuting to total recluse in four frames. He ultimately decided that in this lifestyle, even underwear was optional.
landlines on July 26, 2007 at 1:09 PM
Well, a photo of you would tell us a great deal, wouldn’t it, AP? Hmmm? Yes? Hello, is this thing on?
I’ve recently spent a few weeks between jobs, and lost 22 pounds. While eating more than I was before my previous contract came to an end, since I spend more time within arms reach of the fridge.
20 minutes on an elliptical trainer and 15 minutes of mild weightlifting, three times a week. All it takes for any person on earth to lose weight is to expend more calories than you eat. The math is really irrefutable. Now, how well you choose the foods you eat will determine if you have the energy and mental frame of mind to actually do something physical, so that can’t be ignored, but it is somewhat the lesser factor.
People trying to lose weight by changing what they eat, if they DO NOTHING, will fail. If you try to starve your body of nutrition, it will work harder to horde every last bit of food that it can. It is infinitely better to do a little bit of exercise. Increasing muscle mass, even by small amounts, will also cause more calories to be burned when not exercising, because muscle needs fuel all the time.
On topic, blaming your enablers has certainly become de rigeur, but that won’t drop a single ounce of fat off your back. Go walk a mile if nothing else.
Freelancer on July 26, 2007 at 6:12 PM
My formerly fat friends are all thin now because of a thin friend like me!
Bearhopi on July 26, 2007 at 7:18 PM
either a Wii Fit or going outside once in a while.
Aylios on July 27, 2007 at 6:43 AM
Absolutely Freelancer, whenever I tell my mates this they give me this skeptical look, mumble something unintelligible and then change the subject. Why oh why is simple logic so hard for people to grasp?
Aylios on July 27, 2007 at 6:45 AM