According to the findings of a recent research study, when college students watch a movie and snack with either a skinny or overweight (fat) friend, the students typically followed the thin friend’s lead when she overindulged. And, on the contrary, students showed more self-control when snacking with a bigger / heavier companion who overate.

Thus, it was safe to conclude, that skinny friends may actually cause you to eat more, and of course, gain weight. The findings were published recently in the Journal of Consumer Research, and suggest that seeing a skinny friend eat a big meal basically gives implicit permission for one to do the same.

How was the study conducted? 210 female college students were recruited for what the participants believed was a study on movie viewing; each woman watched a movie with a companion – who was actually a member of the research team. In some instances, the researcher showed up as her normal 105 lb self, while in other instances, she wore padding that made her appear to be obese. During the movie, the movie-watchers were offered snacks, with the undercover researcher taking her portion first.

Dr. Brent McFerran, an assistant professor of marketing at the University of British Columbia in Kelowna, Canada who led the study, suggested that instead of looking at a thin friend who is gorging on dessert and feeling permission to do the same, we should remind ourselves that all individuals are different – with different metabolisms and exercise habits. Thus he said, you should focus on your own goal of healthy eating, rather than automatically mimicking a friend.