A recent report from that always Fat-Phobic JAMA states that the obese breed obesity around them. The study was published in Thursday’s New England Journal of Medicine and funded by the National Institute on Aging.

Researchers think it’s more than just people with similar eating and exercise habits hanging out together. Instead, it may be that having relatives and friends who become obese changes one’s idea of what is an acceptable weight.

Read the full Article over Here.

Editorial Commentary from OMG: It’s not enough that there is such a stigma in school and work zones, but now they are trying to prevent our friends/family from being near us due to the “fact” that they might “catch” our disease?

I think its more of an acceptance issue than it is a contagious one. If we look beyond what people look like and get to know who they are, where they came from, how they got to where they are, I think that is more likely the reason.

To break this down to a really personal level. I used to weigh 411lbs, I went on a very strict diet in order to have a baby. I got down to 142 and at 5′8″ i was pretty thin.

And miserable.

I maintained a weight level between 160-165 and was pretty happy. Then my son’s dad thought I could become his punching bag. When his fist connected with my face, it hurt. When his elbow dug into my stomach it hurt.

that was 10 years ago. Immediately after getting out of the hospital and dumping his 180lbs self, I put on 40lbs. I don’t think my eating habits changed. I always ate healthy. even at 411lbs I was a healthy fat girl. But I think my body required that weight to protect itself.

Now I weight about 265-270. It’s 100lbs in 10 years. I still walk and exercise, eat healthy but for some reason I am not able to lose the weight. So about 5 years ago, with the help of AbundanceNW and other socially active groups, I’ve decided to love myself and love my fat.

I can debate and jab with the best of them. I’m opinionated and sometimes that gets me into trouble with my big mouth. But it amuses me no end when they cannot come back at me with anything better than reference to my FAT ass.

So, skinny bitches, if that is the BEST you can do, go back to school. And make sure you sit next to the fat kid. it’s enlightening.