New research indicates that surrounding yourself with high-status individuals can promote a slimmer figure—but primarily for women. This study sheds light on the nuanced link between personal weight (assessed visually) and the socioeconomic status—including education and lifestyle—of close contacts, with gender emerging as a key factor.
The data supports this: Women with more educated social networks often describe themselves as athletic, linking to lower body weights. For men, the pattern reverses—higher-status contacts correlate with greater weight. Researchers suggest that rising socioeconomic circles reinforce thinness ideals for women, while men face pressures as 'breadwinners,' potentially sidelining dieting or exercise in favor of other status markers.
