A study conducted in the UK shows that if some one is overweight it is because he/she is surrounded with persons who are overweight. The researchers also opine that it may be because of a comfort level as it is easier to be fat in a society that is fat. The study was conducted by National Bureau of Economic Research, UK.

The study establishes that being overweight has not been so much a significant thing for men if they were surrounded by overweight men. The study done on both the genders has shown that there is no linear conclusion for both the gender and there have been split responses.  

The study shows that females were more prone for any given BMI value to feel overweight. Also, European women’s weight dissatisfaction and overweight perceptions depended not just on their own absolute BMI, but also upon their BMI relative to other women of exactly the same age.

The comparative study shows that whether for reasons of job promotions, or mate selection, it is someone’s weight relative to others that matters. More importantly, overweight perceptions and dieting decisions are influenced by people’s comparisons with others of the same age and gender.