People who want to lose weight are more likely to spend time with others whose body mass is similar to their own, says a study published last month in the journal Obesity. But they might have more success dropping pounds by including thinner people in their social networks, as well.
That’s what researchers found when they asked more than 9,000 adults ages 18 to 65 about their weight goals and their closest companions. However, they say, their results are not meant to suggest that people ditch their current pals—or make new ones based on weight alone. In fact, they hope that their findings will encourage people to be more confident in themselves, not more exclusive in their friend groups.
