Are you aware that our behaviour patterns very often reflect those of our friends? The theory is that we turn out to be very much like the individuals we hang around with. For the most part this is interpreted as we hold the same belief structure or values; we quite often support the same sports clubs and political parties as our friends, for instance.
It's now becoming apparent as well that this common theme might extend to weight. We will eat more when in the company of good friends who eat more. A small study undertaken in America found that overweight kids and teenagers ate more when they were eating with a friend who was also overweight, than when they ate with a normal weight child.
Indeed, all the young people studied (aged 9 to 15) ate more when they were with friends than strangers regardless of their size. But the greatest calorific intakes were observed when overweight chums snacked together. The results of this study revealed several key factors. It found that friends have a key function where consumption is concerned.
Candidly it's no great revelation that many ate more when in the company of friends. That would doubtless be the same if adults had been surveyed. What's more, as our friends don't usually challenge what we do, we assume that means they condone our behaviour. Subconsciously we're placing the permission ball in someone else's court.
Young people of all sizes were studied for forty five minutes. A number were teamed up with strangers, and a number with friends. Each pair had a mix of healthy and snack-type food, and entertainment.
All the ones who teamed up with a friend ate a larger amount than the rest. However it was the pairs who were both overweight who consumed the most in total. And the variations were considerable, as shown below.
Nearly seven hundred and fifty calories per person was consumed by the larger pairs of friends. Heavy kids with standard weight chums ate just under 450 cals, and standard weight kids ate approx 500 cals whatever weight their mate was. This influence extends to smoking and drinking as well with young teens.
A child's social network then is significant in determining their eating habits. What this means is kids can be influenced to eat less as well as more. Hence the necessity to educate the young. - 30241
It's now becoming apparent as well that this common theme might extend to weight. We will eat more when in the company of good friends who eat more. A small study undertaken in America found that overweight kids and teenagers ate more when they were eating with a friend who was also overweight, than when they ate with a normal weight child.
Indeed, all the young people studied (aged 9 to 15) ate more when they were with friends than strangers regardless of their size. But the greatest calorific intakes were observed when overweight chums snacked together. The results of this study revealed several key factors. It found that friends have a key function where consumption is concerned.
Candidly it's no great revelation that many ate more when in the company of friends. That would doubtless be the same if adults had been surveyed. What's more, as our friends don't usually challenge what we do, we assume that means they condone our behaviour. Subconsciously we're placing the permission ball in someone else's court.
Young people of all sizes were studied for forty five minutes. A number were teamed up with strangers, and a number with friends. Each pair had a mix of healthy and snack-type food, and entertainment.
All the ones who teamed up with a friend ate a larger amount than the rest. However it was the pairs who were both overweight who consumed the most in total. And the variations were considerable, as shown below.
Nearly seven hundred and fifty calories per person was consumed by the larger pairs of friends. Heavy kids with standard weight chums ate just under 450 cals, and standard weight kids ate approx 500 cals whatever weight their mate was. This influence extends to smoking and drinking as well with young teens.
A child's social network then is significant in determining their eating habits. What this means is kids can be influenced to eat less as well as more. Hence the necessity to educate the young. - 30241
About the Author:
(C) Scott Edwards. Try WeightLossDietWar.com for excellent advice on slimming and weight management.
