Peer similarity and influence for weight-related outcomes in adolescence: a meta-analytic review

Abstract

Weight-related problems, including obesity and disordered eating, have emerged as major public health concerns for adolescents. To address these deviations from healthy eating and weight regulation, prevention and intervention efforts have targeted the influence of peers. Yet, evidence that peers influence weight-related outcomes, often inferred from similarity among peers, is inconsistent. This meta-analytic review evaluated peer similarity and influence not only for body size and symptoms of disordered eating, but also for key determinants of obesity (food intake and physical activity levels) and eating pathology (body dissatisfaction and weight control strategies). For each of the six outcomes, data was summarized from 9 to 24 independent studies. Results revealed significant, non-trivial similarity among peers across outcome variables, with the exception of disordered eating. Findings indicated that resemblances among peers were unlikely to be solely the reflection of cognitive biases or the selection of alike friends, but may be partially due to influence. To better understand the influence of peers, further longitudinal research is needed, particularly focusing on the factors that moderate susceptibility to conformity.

Keywords: Disordered eating; Influence; Obesity; Peers; Similarity; Social networks.