Unhealthy Habits Can Spread in Families & Social Circles

Sharon Moore August 14, 2013

“Tell me who your friends are and I will tell you who you are” – it appears that this saying is not only applicable to one’s attitude and behaviour but also to his or her health. According to the survey results conducted by American researchers, if your friends and family engage in unhealthy habits like drinking, smoking or being inactive, you’re likely to do so as well.

Friends and family influence your health habits

The study involved 2,027 adults who were asked about their lifestyle and the lifestyles of their relatives and friends. The results show that 46 per cent of adults who considered themselves as alcohol drinkers were more likely to have friends and family members who engage in the same unhealthy habit. On the other hand, only 30 per cent of non-alcohol drinkers said some of their social group drink.

Researchers also found that participants who smoke were twice as likely to associate themselves with other smokers. Similarly, those who identified themselves as overweight were more likely to say that they have many friends and family members who are overweight.

The study didn’t provide explanation on what causes this effect. Is it because friends and family influence an individual’s health habits or people tend to seek out those who share their habits? However, this is not the first to provide evidence on the strong influence of social circles in an individual’s health. For instance, in 2003, researchers at Harvard and the University of California found that if one sibling in the family became obese, the chance of another sibling becoming obese increased by 40 per cent.

Health Benefits of Friendships

If they can pass unhealthy habits, friends and family can also spread good practices. A paper published in the Child Development journal found that friendships helped reduced some of the stress experienced by students being bullied in school. An Australian research which lasted for 10 years, suggests that friendships foster longevity. Here, it was found that older adults with more friends were 22 per cent less likely to die than their friends with fewer peers. Having dear folks could also help people with cancer overcome their disease. A small 2005 study published online in the journal Cancer found lower levels of interleukin 6 – a protein marker for a more aggressive form of ovarian cancer, in women with stronger social bonds. Having friends is also good for the heart. Scientists at Duke University Medical Centre in North Carolina found an association between coronary heart disease and low levels of social support.

All these tell us that choosing friends wisely is an important decision to make. Being with people who can guide you through a healthy lifestyle is one way to improve your health and well-being.

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Friends and Family Influence Your Health Habits