ABSTRACT
The worldwide growth in overweight and obesity has created negative health, social and economic consequences for children, adults, and society as a whole [1]–[3]. In the US, alongside increasing adult overweight and obesity rates, the problem has grown among children [4], [5]. Some research indicates increases in US childhood overweight and obesity rates may be slowing [5], but we still need strategies to accelerate a downward trend in order to abate forthcoming obesity-related health and economic consequences [6]. Research that improves our understanding of the complex dynamics of social spread of obesity among children via both peer and
adult influences may help identify key leverage points, and guide resource allocation to the most impactful combination of intervention strategies.
