Investigating obesity related behaviours in friendship networks among the youth: a systemised review, Noor Alsayed, Dr. Tillal Eldabi, Prof. Habin Lee
Noor Alsayed
PhD student, Brunel University, UK
Dr. Tillal Eldabi
Brunel Business School, Brunel University, UK
Professor Habin Lee
Professor in Analytics and Operations Management, Brunel University, UK
DOI: 10.47556/B.OUTLOOK2017.15.18
Background: Unhealthy diet, low levels of physical activity and increased participation in sedentary activities are important obesity related behaviours that negatively impact on the health of today’s youth. Friends’ health behaviours have been found to influence an individual’s health behaviours; however, current evidence on the specific role of friendship networks on obesity related behaviours are inconclusive. The purpose of this review is to profile the existing literature in an attempt to identify the associations between friendship networks and obesity related behaviours among adolescents.
Method: A systemised review of the literature was undertaken after a search of the Scopus database; a total of fifteen articles were selected for inclusion. The selected publications assessed the associations between friendship networks and obesity related behaviours (diet, physical activity, and sedentary behaviour) among youths.
Results: There is consistent evidence that friends are similar in physical activity; evidence on diet and sedentary behaviour is mixed and limited. Friendship network characteristics seem to be associated with obesity related behaviours. Popularity (receiving ties) is likely to be associated with diet, network size, and the proportion of active friends tends to be associated with physical activity. Finally network density is associated with sedentary behaviour.
Conclusion: Friendships are critical in shaping young people's obesity related behaviour. There is extensive research investigating friendship influences on diet, physical activity and sedentary behaviour. Future studies should investigate whether friendship influence operates via other obesity related behaviours that have not yet been explored, such as sleep. Results from this review are informative for designing effective public health interventions because network based promotion interventions have a promising potential.
Keywords: Social Networks, Friendship, Diet, Physical Activity, Sedentary Behaviour, Obesity.
