According to a new study published in the specialized journal 'Obesity', in the same way that obesity can be socially contagious, so can weight loss . To prove this, researchers at Brown University (USA) created several teams of obese and overweight people to compete in the goal of shedding the extra kilos. And they found that the weight loss of some team members had a positive influence on the rest.
The researchers explain that, in the fight against the current obesity "epidemic" , group weight loss through online social networks is gaining popularity, especially in the United States. And this research is the first to show its effectiveness. Being around others who are pursuing the same goal really helps you stick to a weight loss diet and get more exercise, concludes study co-author Tricia Leahey. On the other hand, the results of the experiment reveal that the captains of each team lose the most weight, possibly due to their greater motivation and involvement in the "campaign". "We are influenced by the people around us, so it's interesting that we use this 'peer pressure' in a positive way," says Leahey.
