Are you aware that our behaviour patterns very often reflect those of our friends? Psychologists have been telling us for a long time that we become like the people we associate 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.
However, studies are now also suggesting that having overweight friends makes it more likely that we will be overweight too. According to a recent news article, we have a tendency to consume more when eating with heavier people who we know well. A US research team looked at kids eating habits. They found that the heavier ones ate more when they were with their heavier pals than when they were with their slimmer friends.
In fact more was eaten by all sizes when in the company of friends. Although the most food of all was eaten when two heavy chums were teamed up. The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition reported on this research. It illustrated the part friends play in the actions of each other.
It’s quite natural that many kids ate more when they were relaxed about who they were with. Both children and adults are less self-conscious when they’re with friends rather than strangers. It’s possible however that in addition, we assume friends will give their consent. Subconsciously we’re placing the permission ball in someone else’s court.
The study took 65 young people of mixed weights and observed them for 45 minutes. Some were with a friend, and some with a stranger. They were given games to entertain themselves, along with snack food, fruit and veg.
Every pair who knew each other ate more than those who didn’t. Nevertheless, by far the most was eaten by the heavy couples who were pals. The results showed as follows:
An average of seven hundred and thirty eight calories was eaten by overweight teens who paired with a friend. Yet the larger kid who paired with a regular weight buddy only ate four hundred and forty four calories. Interestingly, regular weight kids averaged approximately five hundred calories no matter what weight their friend was. The larger kids desire to be like their friends is a common notion. We see this also in relation to smoking at an early age.
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. A good argument for teaching sound nutrition!
