College is home to the dreaded "freshman 15" the weight many students get during their first year of school. Most kids try to avoid the freshman 15, but all that beer and pizza will creep up on you.
But if you're a girl, a new study says that you are less likely to gain weight during your first year if your roommate is heavy.
Presented at the annual meeting of the American Society of Health Economists, scientists discovered college girls with roommates that are above average weight, gain less weight during their first year, than female students with slimmer roommates. The difference was a half pound versus 2.5 pounds.
Researchers say heavier roommates are more likely to diet, exercise, and restricting access to food, and these practices may be "infectious."
Most of the time people choose friends and acquaintances that are similar to themselves. So the scientists randomly assigned roommates. Would you choose a person who you normally wouldn't be friends with, such as an overweight person? This is what the scientists challenged. And this person's unique habits can rub off on you.
Image credit: Amy Mac Health & fitness
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