Friends Can Make You Skinny
New England Journal of Medicine verifies Wellsphere's unique approach to community driven health and fitness … friends can make you skinny… or fat
San Francisco, Calif. (PRWEB) July 26, 2007 -- Wellsphere's (http://www.wellsphere.com) innovative approach to weight loss and healthy living has been affirmed by a groundbreaking study (http://content.nejm.org/cgi/content/full/357/4/370) just released by the New England Journal of Medicine, revealing that obesity spreads from person to person, through social networks of friends and families. The study showed the same effect for weight loss, finding that "the relevance of social influence also suggests that it may be possible to harness this same force to slow the spread of obesity. Network phenomena might be exploited to spread positive health behaviors… People are connected, and so their health is connected." This mirrors the theory behind Wellsphere, an online community recently launched by Stanford graduates, specifically designed for people to help each other lose weight, stay fit and healthy.
According to the New England Journal of Medicine study, which analyzed the relationships and weights of more than 12,000 friends, neighbors and family members over 32 years, when one person gains weight, their close friends and family tend to gain weight as well. The study revealed that people were 57% more likely to become obese if their friends became obese. The closer the friendship, the more likely people were to influence one another, regardless of geography- friends who live hundreds of miles away have just as much impact as friends who are next door.
Recently launched, Wellsphere leverages this exact phenomenon by providing a platform for people and their friends to influence each other to live healthier, happier lives. In addition to sharing interesting, up-to-the minute stories such as this one posted yesterday by Wellsphere member Julie M. (http://www.wellsphere.com/viewGoalPosting.s?articleId=2164&goalTypeId=220)Wellsphere members share tips on what's actually helped them to lose weight, get in shape or unwind. Unlike the scores of generic information found on the web, Wellsphere allows users and their friends to find out what really works for people like themselves, to engage in an open dialogue about different ideas and solutions, and to support one another along the way. Friends can watch each other's progress, and enjoy the 'social contagion' of seeing each other lose weight and achieve their fitness goals. From forming Nutrition Advice groups (http://www.wellsphere.com/viewGroup.s?id=37) to answering each other's questions about how to keep exercising once you have kids, Wellsphere members are there to help each other stay motivated and informed. Friends can even share their favorite workout videos (http://www.wellsphere.com/viewVideo.s?videoId=38) and healthy cooking shows, share advice on which gyms to go to and nutritionists to use, announce that they're going for a jog or training for a 5K and invite their friends to come along.
Now, the New England Journal of Medicine study agrees with Wellsphere - your friends can increase your chances of becoming obese, or of becoming slim, fit and healthy! So check out the community of friends losing weight, getting fit and helping each other improve their lives.
About Wellsphere
Wellsphere is an online healthy living community where regular people, enthusiasts and professionals can connect, inspire and educate each other about health, fitness and well-being. Wellsphere recognizes that people everywhere regularly seek new ways to improve their lives, yet are sick of diet fads and trendy programs that yield no results. While still at Stanford, the founders formed a multi-disciplinary research team that discovered the keys to achieving sustainable life changes: Finding the resources and routines that fit your personal lifestyle, and connecting with a fun and motivating network of supportive peers. Wellsphere is headquartered in San Mateo, California. To experience Wellsphere, visit www.wellsphere.com.
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