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Quote by: ZNFYRH  Even if you have a genetic proclivity for either, you still make the choice when you take the first drink, overeat the first time, etc. You don't get to choose physically contagious diseases. |
However, addictions affect one's ability to make good choices. The word "contagious" does not only mean airborne infections. It can, and does, refer to psychological components ranging from "contagious laugh" to "contagious smile" to "contagious fear." Look it up if you don't believe me. By focusing your argument on airborne infections as contagions, you ignore the study's actual use of a versatile term.
Also, the study never claimed that obesity is a disease BECAUSE it's a socially contagious. In fact, I'm not sure the study actually labeled obesity a disease outright--like alcoholism is a disease. It merely argued that environmental components (social contagions) increase the risk of obesity.