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The spread of obesity in a large social network over 32 years (2007)
| Venue: | NEW ENGLAND JOURNAL OF MEDICINE |
| Citations: | 509 - 23 self |
BibTeX
@MISC{Christakis07thespread,
author = {Nicholas A. Christakis and James H. Fowler},
title = { The spread of obesity in a large social network over 32 years },
year = {2007}
}
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Abstract
The prevalence of obesity has increased substantially over the past 30 years. We performed a quantitative analysis of the nature and extent of the person-to-person spread of obesity as a possible factor contributing to the obesity epidemic. Methods We evaluated a densely interconnected social network of 12,067 people assessed repeatedly from 1971 to 2003 as part of the Framingham Heart Study. The body-mass index was available for all subjects. We used longitudinal statistical models to examine whether weight gain in one person was associated with weight gain in his or her friends, siblings, spouse, and neighbors. Results Discernible clusters of obese persons (body-mass index [the weight in kilograms divided by the square of the height in meters], ≥30) were present in the network at all time points, and the clusters extended to three degrees of separation. These clusters did not appear to be solely attributable to the selective formation of social ties among obese persons. A person’s chances of becoming obese increased by 57%
Keyphrases
new england journal large social network obese person weight gain body-mass index selective formation social tie person chance framingham heart study person-to-person spread social network obesity epidemic result discernible cluster possible factor longitudinal statistical model time point quantitative analysis
