We are about to end our unit on “why we eat what we eat” and will soon begin discussing the obesity epidemic. The two topics that are clearly related, since a major question related to the obesity issue is why so many of us eat too many calories. Indeed, addressing the latter question is critical to developing public health strategies to reduce obesity rates.
Because we are social animals who like to eat together, psychologists have suggested that social eating may positively or negatively affect our eating habits. In other words, research has shown people match food intake to that of their eating companions. If surrounded by healthy eaters, individuals tend to eat healthier. In contrast, if your social group is engaged in unhealthy snacking or overeating, that’s where you are likely headed as well.
In one study, scientists collected brains scans from subject who had simply watched other people eat chips. They found that the subject’s response was associated with their body weight. Thus, some people may be more susceptible to the so-called obesogenic food environment (i.e., surrounded by tempting foods) than others.
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