Do your friends help or hinder your weight loss goals? On this revealing episode, Jim and Holly dive into the fascinating science showing how our social circles influence our body weight and behaviors.

You’ll learn why obesity seems to spread through social networks, and get research-backed strategies to make friends support your healthy lifestyle. The hosts even share a “secret weapon” for getting resistant loved ones on board.

Weight loss is hard enough without sabotage from friends and family. Get the inside scoop on leveraging your social connections so you can shed pounds for good.

Discussed on the episode:

• The viral 2007 study showing clusters of obesity spreading through social ties
• How behaviors – not body weight itself – seem to be contagious
• Should you change your friends to lose weight? The science says...
• Real-life examples of social networks impacting people’s weight
• Clever ways to get friends and family to support your goals
• A “stealth” method for influencing resistant spouses and loved ones

Links mentioned:

• The 2007 social networks and obesity study: https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/nejmsa066082