OBJECTIVES: We aimed to test the hypothesized role of shared body size norms in the social contagion of body size and obesity. METHODS: Using data collected in 2009 from 101 women and 812 of their social ties in Phoenix, Arizona, we assessed the indirect effect of social norms on shared body mass index (BMI) measured in 3 different ways. RESULTS: We confirmed Christakis and Fowler's basic finding that BMI and obesity do indeed cluster socially, but we found that body size norms accounted for only a small portion of this effect (at most 20%) and only via 1 of the 3 pathways. CONCLUSIONS: If shared social norms play only a minor role in the social contagion of obesity, interventions targeted at changing ideas about appropriate BMIs or body sizes may be less useful than those working more directly with behaviors, for example, by changing eating habits or transforming opportunities for and constraints on dietary intake.
OBJECTIVES: We aimed to test the hypothesized role of shared body size norms in the social contagion of body size and obesity. METHODS: Using data collected in 2009 from 101 women and 812 of their social ties in Phoenix, Arizona, we assessed the indirect effect of social norms on shared body mass index (BMI) measured in 3 different ways. RESULTS: We confirmed Christakis and Fowler's basic finding that BMI and obesity do indeed cluster socially, but we found that body size norms accounted for only a small portion of this effect (at most 20%) and only via 1 of the 3 pathways. CONCLUSIONS: If shared social norms play only a minor role in the social contagion of obesity, interventions targeted at changing ideas about appropriate BMIs or body sizes may be less useful than those working more directly with behaviors, for example, by changing eating habits or transforming opportunities for and constraints on dietary intake.
Authors: Thomas W Valente; Beth R Hoffman; Annamara Ritt-Olson; Kara Lichtman; C Anderson Johnson Journal: Am J Public Health Date: 2003-11 Impact factor: 9.308
Authors: Michelle R Lent; Lisa Bailey-Davis; Brian A Irving; G Craig Wood; Adam M Cook; Annemarie G Hirsch; Christopher D Still; Peter N Benotti; Jennifer Franceschelli-Hosterman Journal: Obes Surg Date: 2016-12 Impact factor: 4.129
Authors: Shakira F Suglia; Rachel C Shelton; Amber Hsiao; Y Claire Wang; Andrew Rundle; Bruce G Link Journal: J Urban Health Date: 2016-02 Impact factor: 3.671