If your friends and family get fat, chances are you will too, researchers report in a study that suggests obesity is "socially contagious" and can spread easily from person to person.

Even worse, the study found that living far apart from loved ones didn't make a difference, according to an Associated Press report.

The study found a person's chances of becoming obese went up 57 percent if a friend did, 40 percent if a sibling did and 37 percent if a spouse did. In the closest friendships, the risk almost tripled.

I must say, I didn't find the results shocking, especially since a lot of friendships and familial relationships revolve around food. I have several friends with whom I've gained and lost weight by virtue of us influencing each other's food choices.

What do you think? Do your friends and family make you fat?

-- Amanda Barrett, amNY.com