It has been suggested by a study led by researchers from Arizona State University (ASU) that shared ideas about appropriate weight helps is spreading obesity. According to the researchers, obesity is socially contagious and can be transmitted by social groups.

For the study, the ASU team interviewed about 101 women from the Phoenix area and around 812 of their closest friends and family members. They compared their body mass index and found that women are at the high risk of obesity if they hang out with company of obese people.

Supporting the study, researchers have announced three hypotheses. According to the first hypothesis, one might learn about appropriate body size from the social group. The second hypothesis postulates that pressure from family or friends might push to gain weight by over eating. And the worse and third hypothesis is that one, after observing friends and family might form idea of an acceptable body size and will change diet accordingly.

Meanwhile, the study also focused upon the perspective of women towards obesity. During the study it was found that women would prefer being depressed and blind rather than being obese. It is believed that media's negative and suppressed way of screening obesity is the main cause behind such thinking.