Dining with overweight friends or family could make you eat more unhealthy food, a recent study has found.
People are more inclined to gorge on junk and push away salads when sat opposite an overweight person - and it's (probably) because we feel less guilty about being unhealthy.
A recent study observed participants eating habits when sat with an overweight person at lunchtime.
The study split participants into two groups. The first was joined by an actress wearing an overweight prosthesis (AKA a 'fat suit'), while the others ate with her dressed in everyday clothing.
Then, the groups were divided again. Half saw the actress eat more pasta and less salad, while the other half saw her eat more salad and less pasta.
After observing her, participants were asked to serve themselves pasta and salad to eat.
The study found that people ate 31% more pasta and 43% less salad when eating with an overweight person, regardless of the quality or quantity of the food on their plate.
70 Healthiest Foods
Almonds(01 of70)
Open Image ModalApples(02 of70)
Open Image ModalApples are an "excellent source of pectin, a soluble fiber that can lower blood cholesterol," says Wixom. The fruit is also high in fiber and its peel contains something called ursolic acid, which has been shown in recent studies to lower the incidence of obesity. "Apples also contain quercetin, which has anti-inflammatory properties and can help in preventing respiratory problems," Heather Bauer tells The Huffington Post. "Research shows that pregnant women who incorporated apples into their daily diet were less likely to give birth to a child with asthma." (credit:shutterstock)
Artichoke Hearts(03 of70)
Open Image ModalAvocado(04 of70)
Open Image ModalBeets(05 of70)
Open Image Modal"The dark red color indicates the powerful phytonutrient package of beets," Diekman tells The Huffington Post. Indeed beets are rich in betalains, such as betanin and vulgaxanthin, that give them their pigment and also have anti-inflammation and antioxidant properties.Beyond that, beets contain significant amounts of folate, vitamin C, B6, iron, phosphorous, calcium, magnesium, zinc, niacin, riboflavin and thiamine. (credit:FLICKR: USDAGOV)
Beans(06 of70)
Open Image ModalBell Peppers(07 of70)
Open Image ModalBlackberries And Raspberries(08 of70)
Open Image ModalBerries are low in calories and are excellent sources of fiber, vitamin C, antioxidants and phytochemicals, and, according to Wixom, some research suggests they help with such divergent health challenges as age-related mental decline, heart disease, some cancers and urinary tract infections. On the mental acuity front, the berries are full of anthocyanins for boosting memory, according to Joy Bauer, but that's not their only age-related benefit. "These foods are high in antioxidants, protect the body from the harmful effects of by-products known as free radicals, made normally when the body changes oxygen and food into energy," according to experts at the Penn Institute on Aging at the University of Pennsylvania. (credit:shutterstock)
Black Tea(09 of70)
Open Image ModalBlueberries(10 of70)
Open Image ModalWhile all berries provide healthful antioxidants, vitamins, fiber and phytochemicals, studies show that blueberries have a particular and unique health benefit. "Among the fruits with the highest level of antioxidants, blueberries have been linked to lowering cholesterol, reducing diabetes risk, slowing the aging process, improving motor skills and supporting urinary and vision health," says Fitzgerald. "The compound, anthocynanin, gives blueberries their color and may be the main component of its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties." (credit:Alamy)
Broccoli(11 of70)
Open Image ModalBrown Rice(12 of70)
Open Image ModalBrussels Sprouts (13 of70)
Open Image ModalCherries(14 of70)
Open Image ModalChia Seeds(15 of70)
Open Image ModalCoffee(16 of70)
Open Image ModalCranberries(17 of70)
Open Image ModalDark Chocolate(18 of70)
Open Image ModalEdamame(19 of70)
Open Image ModalEggs(20 of70)
Open Image ModalFlax Seed(21 of70)
Open Image ModalGinger(22 of70)
Open Image ModalGreek Yogurt(23 of70)
Open Image ModalGreen Tea(24 of70)
Open Image ModalKale(25 of70)
Open Image ModalKefir(26 of70)
Open Image ModalLentils(27 of70)
Open Image ModalOatmeal(28 of70)
Open Image ModalOlive Oil(29 of70)
Open Image ModalOranges(30 of70)
Open Image ModalPistachios(31 of70)
Open Image ModalPomegranate(32 of70)
Open Image ModalPotatoes(33 of70)
Open Image ModalQuinoa(34 of70)
Open Image ModalRed Wine(35 of70)
Open Image ModalSalmon(36 of70)
Open Image ModalSardines(37 of70)
Open Image ModalSeaweed(38 of70)
Open Image ModalShiitake Mushrooms(39 of70)
Open Image ModalSkim Milk(40 of70)
Open Image ModalSpinach(41 of70)
Open Image ModalStrawberries(42 of70)
Open Image ModalSunflower Sprouts(43 of70)
Open Image ModalSweet Potatoes(44 of70)
Open Image ModalTomatoes(45 of70)
Open Image ModalTurmeric(46 of70)
Open Image ModalTuna(47 of70)
Open Image ModalWalnuts(48 of70)
Open Image ModalWater(49 of70)
Open Image ModalWhite Tea(50 of70)
Open Image ModalApricots(51 of70)
Open Image ModalAsparagus(52 of70)
Open Image ModalBananas(53 of70)
Open Image ModalBasil(54 of70)
Open Image ModalBlack Pepper(55 of70)
Open Image ModalBlack Rice(56 of70)
Open Image ModalCarrots(57 of70)
Open Image ModalChili Peppers(58 of70)
Open Image ModalCitrus Fruits(59 of70)
Open Image ModalGarlic(60 of70)
Open Image ModalHemp Seeds(61 of70)
Open Image ModalJicama(62 of70)
Open Image ModalKiwi(63 of70)
Open Image ModalMango(64 of70)
Open Image ModalOlives(65 of70)
Open Image ModalOnions(66 of70)
Open Image ModalOregano(67 of70)
Open Image ModalPapaya(68 of70)
Open Image ModalPineapple(69 of70)
Open Image ModalThyme(70 of70)
Open Image ModalAuthors conclude not only does seeing an overweight eating companion increased unhealthy food intake, but that seeing them eat healthily reduces health food intake.
The results demonstrate that people may eat larger portions of unhealthy food and smaller portions of healthy food when eating with an overweight person, authors note, probably because the "health commitment goal" is less activated.
The study is published in the journal Appetite.