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Obesity Contagious?

An anonymous reader writes "University of Wisconsin-Madison researchers have found that certain human viruses may cause obesity, and by extension make being severely overweight a contagious condition. 'It makes people feel more comfortable to think that obesity stems from lack of control,' the lead researcher says. 'It's a big mental leap to think you can catch obesity.' But other diseases once chalked up to environmental factors, like stomach ulcers, are now known to stem from infectious agents."

5 of 840 comments (clear)

  1. really? by revery · · Score: 1, Flamebait

    It makes people feel more comfortable to think that obesity stems from lack of control

    Oh really? I mean, REALLY?!?!? Which people I wonder? As a person who could afford to lose some weight I would be seriously tempted to be able to blame my weight on factors beyond my control. "It's not me honey, it's the virus. Now pass the dang doughnuts before my virus makes me hurt someone." Except, I know that's not true.

    It leaves me wondering how long it will be until we prove that no one is responsible for anything.

  2. Re:Conservation of energy revoked? by outsider007 · · Score: 0, Flamebait

    There are people who are suicidal over their weight, and willing to endure painful, dangerous, ill-advised medical procedures to correct it.

    Sorry I'm not going to start feeling sorry for a condition where the solution is as simple as 'put down the sandwich.' There's too many people with real problems.

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    If you mod me down the terrorists will have won
  3. Re:And eventually... by override11 · · Score: 0, Flamebait

    evolution will take care of this too
    Are you saying all the fat people will die? ;)

    On a side rant, just eat less and do SOMETHING physical on a daily basis. We all know WHY we are fat, now take a moment to train yourself to not get that way.

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    No I didnt spell check this post...
  4. Yeah right... by Jesus+IS+the+Devil · · Score: 0, Flamebait

    Having been to many Asian countries, I've noticed that Americans are not only a superpower, but also a superfat country. I've never noticed it till now, but this country is filled with ridiculously FAT people. How in the world does someone let one burger after another go down their tummies until they're literally 100 pounds overweight?

    In Asia, people considered fat there would be slim here. They eat smaller portions of better tasting food (as opposed to all that processed, fried crap here), and they do lots of walking. Here everyone just hops into their cars and sit all day.

    I've heard in Europe, people are skinny too because of a healthier lifestyle.

    Go ahead, keep finding excuses for being fat. Sure it's because of genetics, sure it's contagious... 1 calorie isn't really 1 calorie. Fat comes from thin air. Ok...

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    eTrade SUCKS
  5. Virus my ass... by nazzdeq · · Score: 0, Flamebait

    ...if I grab some of you fat bastards and throw you in a jail cell and give you a slice of bread and water for a few months and make the whole floor one big ass moving treadmill so you have to walk 24/7 the pounds will drop right off. Stop making excuses for lack of self control. Put down the chips and go for a walk, jog, ride a bike. Close your cakehole. Get off your ass and stop reading crap on the internet you fat bastards. lol.