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Quote by: Osborn F Enready  They are framing the information though, as some type of "proof" that if you associate or have friends that are obese, you may suddenly become obese EVEN if you don't alter your lifestyle otherwise. Its absurd. |
But is that what the study actually said? Even if someone doesn't alter their lifestyle (ie they continue exercising and eating healthy foods) they will become obese by hanging out with obese friends and family? The study, it seems to me, acknowledges the change of lifestyle (ie eating badly and in excess) as result of the "social contagion." Or maybe I misunderstood your point.
In any case, insurance companies have an incentive to fight the "disease" designation of obesity. Diseases require coverage and obesity coverage would force premiums to skyrocket. However, aren't bulimia and anorexia considered "diseases?" They involve bad food choices and behavior also, but the medical community treats these conditions as medical issues. Or for that matter, what about alcoholism? It wasn't that long ago that people considered alcoholism the result of "weak character" and personal choice. Today it is categorized as a disease by the medical community.