Honda NSX in Excess
16 years ago
Skinny friends may make you eat more
NEW YORK - That friend who stays thin despite eating anything and everything is not just annoying. She might also wreck your diet, new research suggests.
Researchers found that when they had college students watch a movie and snack with either a skinny or overweight companion, the students typically followed the thin friend's lead when she overindulged.
In contrast, study participants used more self-control when snacking with a heavier companion who overate.
The findings, published in the Journal of Consumer Research, suggest that seeing a thin friend devour a big meal gives us implicit permission to do the same.
"We think 'if she can eat like that and stay thin, so can I,' or 'she is having cake, then I can too,'" explained Dr. Brent McFerran, an assistant professor of marketing at the University of British Columbia in Kelowna, Canada.
"In other words," he told Reuters Health in an email, "the most dangerous person to eat with is not someone who is obese, but a thin friend with a large appetite."
For their study, McFerran and his colleagues recruited 210 female college students for what the participants believed was a study on movie viewing; each woman watched a movie with a companion, who was actually a member of the research team.
A model displays an outfit by Elio Berhanyer during the Spring/Summer 2007-08 Pasarela Cibeles fashion show in Madrid September 18, 2007.[Agencies]
In some cases, the researcher showed up as her normal 105-pound self, while in others she donned padding that made her appear to be obese.
During the movie, the pairs were offered snacks, with the undercover researcher taking her portion first.
In general, McFerran's team found, the students ate more when their thin companion took a large portion, versus cases where the "obese" companion took a similarly large portion.
For example, when the skinny researcher ate a lot (30 candies), the participants ate an average of 10 candies. When the researcher was "obese" and ate a lot, the kids ate about 6 candies.
"Eating involves much social pressure," McFerran said, noting that social influences may, in fact, be the strongest predictor of what we eat.
But the current findings do not mean that we need to cancel all future dinner plans with our overindulgent skinny friends.
"If we think about what we are doing in advance," McFerran said, "we are less likely to overconsume."
He suggested that instead of looking at a thin friend who is gorging on dessert and feeling permission to do the same, we should remind ourselves that individuals are different -- with different metabolisms and exercise habits, for example.
Focus on your own goal to eat healthfully, McFerran said, rather than automatically mimicking a friend.
He pointed out, however, that there is a "flip side": Friends who choose smaller portion sizes and healthier foods can encourage us to do so, especially if those friends are thin.
Read more!
Researchers found that when they had college students watch a movie and snack with either a skinny or overweight companion, the students typically followed the thin friend's lead when she overindulged.
In contrast, study participants used more self-control when snacking with a heavier companion who overate.
The findings, published in the Journal of Consumer Research, suggest that seeing a thin friend devour a big meal gives us implicit permission to do the same.
"We think 'if she can eat like that and stay thin, so can I,' or 'she is having cake, then I can too,'" explained Dr. Brent McFerran, an assistant professor of marketing at the University of British Columbia in Kelowna, Canada.
"In other words," he told Reuters Health in an email, "the most dangerous person to eat with is not someone who is obese, but a thin friend with a large appetite."
For their study, McFerran and his colleagues recruited 210 female college students for what the participants believed was a study on movie viewing; each woman watched a movie with a companion, who was actually a member of the research team.
A model displays an outfit by Elio Berhanyer during the Spring/Summer 2007-08 Pasarela Cibeles fashion show in Madrid September 18, 2007.[Agencies]
In some cases, the researcher showed up as her normal 105-pound self, while in others she donned padding that made her appear to be obese.
During the movie, the pairs were offered snacks, with the undercover researcher taking her portion first.
In general, McFerran's team found, the students ate more when their thin companion took a large portion, versus cases where the "obese" companion took a similarly large portion.
For example, when the skinny researcher ate a lot (30 candies), the participants ate an average of 10 candies. When the researcher was "obese" and ate a lot, the kids ate about 6 candies.
"Eating involves much social pressure," McFerran said, noting that social influences may, in fact, be the strongest predictor of what we eat.
But the current findings do not mean that we need to cancel all future dinner plans with our overindulgent skinny friends.
"If we think about what we are doing in advance," McFerran said, "we are less likely to overconsume."
He suggested that instead of looking at a thin friend who is gorging on dessert and feeling permission to do the same, we should remind ourselves that individuals are different -- with different metabolisms and exercise habits, for example.
Focus on your own goal to eat healthfully, McFerran said, rather than automatically mimicking a friend.
He pointed out, however, that there is a "flip side": Friends who choose smaller portion sizes and healthier foods can encourage us to do so, especially if those friends are thin.
Read more!
eDiets: Review
eDiets is the largest online weight loss program. They have built such a large brand, that many people even think the name “e diets” is a generic term for online weight loss. Founded in 1996, they now boast over 1.3 million members. They have consistently won awards and recommendations from such prestigious publications as Time magazine, and Forbes Best of the Web.
eDiets are a subscription-based service, where the user pays quarterly. For the price you receive a number of services; customized diet and meal plans, shopping list, recipes (for whatever is on your meal plan), email assistance, and access to online tools and calculators.
eDiets underwent a major upgrade at the beginning of 2008 – unfortunately technical issues meant that there were customer service issues. These have now been rectified and the subscription process is now streamlined.
Diets Nutrition and Diet Plans
eDiets offer a bewildering array of diet plans. They began with their own plan, simply called eDiets Weight Loss Diet – essentially a calorie-controlled nutritionally balanced plan.
Over the past few years they have added a number of plans (subject to change), and are always adding more. Here is a sampling of the diets that they may offer;
* Glycemic Impact Diet
* Mediterranean Diet
* Atkins Nutritional Approach
* eDiets.com Weight Loss Plan
* Bill Phillips’ Eating For Life
* Type 2 Diabetes Diet
* Heart Smart Diet (based off the AHA plan)
* Low Sugar
* Low Sodium
* High Fiber
* Lactose Free
* Low-Fat
* Healthy Soy
* Vegetarian
* Cholesterol Lowering
The number of plans is overwhelming, but if you are simply looking to lose weight, then eDiets have a Diet Needs Analysis survey. This asks a number of questions, and will then come up with the best choices for weight loss.
Within these plans you are allowed to change individual food items (for example, if you were allergic to nuts). You are also allowed to change plans at anytime.
There is a single subscription price ($4.49 per week). This also includes access to a complete fitness program (along with videos and 3D animations). This component used to be charged out separately.
Successful Weight Loss?
eDiets has built an enormous brand based on successful weight loss. There are many success stories. They do advertise extensively, and have a huge opt-in newsletter that they make heavy use of.
The combination of nutrition and food choices make them a good choice if you need help organizing your eating plans.
eDiets also introduced their own nationwide meal delivery plan which makes the diet very easy to follow (delivered meals however are significantly more expensive). See our Review of eDiets Fresh Prepared Meal Delivery.
More story
eDiets: Review - Official Site.
Read more!
eDiets are a subscription-based service, where the user pays quarterly. For the price you receive a number of services; customized diet and meal plans, shopping list, recipes (for whatever is on your meal plan), email assistance, and access to online tools and calculators.
eDiets underwent a major upgrade at the beginning of 2008 – unfortunately technical issues meant that there were customer service issues. These have now been rectified and the subscription process is now streamlined.
Diets Nutrition and Diet Plans
eDiets offer a bewildering array of diet plans. They began with their own plan, simply called eDiets Weight Loss Diet – essentially a calorie-controlled nutritionally balanced plan.
Over the past few years they have added a number of plans (subject to change), and are always adding more. Here is a sampling of the diets that they may offer;
* Glycemic Impact Diet
* Mediterranean Diet
* Atkins Nutritional Approach
* eDiets.com Weight Loss Plan
* Bill Phillips’ Eating For Life
* Type 2 Diabetes Diet
* Heart Smart Diet (based off the AHA plan)
* Low Sugar
* Low Sodium
* High Fiber
* Lactose Free
* Low-Fat
* Healthy Soy
* Vegetarian
* Cholesterol Lowering
The number of plans is overwhelming, but if you are simply looking to lose weight, then eDiets have a Diet Needs Analysis survey. This asks a number of questions, and will then come up with the best choices for weight loss.
Within these plans you are allowed to change individual food items (for example, if you were allergic to nuts). You are also allowed to change plans at anytime.
There is a single subscription price ($4.49 per week). This also includes access to a complete fitness program (along with videos and 3D animations). This component used to be charged out separately.
Successful Weight Loss?
eDiets has built an enormous brand based on successful weight loss. There are many success stories. They do advertise extensively, and have a huge opt-in newsletter that they make heavy use of.
The combination of nutrition and food choices make them a good choice if you need help organizing your eating plans.
eDiets also introduced their own nationwide meal delivery plan which makes the diet very easy to follow (delivered meals however are significantly more expensive). See our Review of eDiets Fresh Prepared Meal Delivery.
More story
eDiets: Review - Official Site.
Read more!
