Social butterflies (or social mice) may be skinnier

All that yapping you do between sets at the gym may not be that counter-productive, after all. A new study conducted by the Ohio State University Medical Center suggests there may be a connection being social and losing love handles. 

That seems to be the case in mice, at least. According to the study, which was published in the journal Cell Metabolism, some rodents lost half the fat around their bellies by interacting with more complex and socially stimulating environments. 

The study builds on research published last year on how such enriched environments could help mice build resistance to cancer. “When we looked at those animals we noticed they were much leaner,” said Dr. Matthew During, who led the research team at OSU Medical Center. “We thought, ‘This is a little interesting.’” 

Researchers rounded up two sets of identical mice for the new study. One was housed in standard pens in groups of five. The others were placed, 25 at a time, in more complex environments that contained wheels, mazes and greater opportunity for social interaction. 

Researchers tracked variations in diet and physical activity. After a few weeks, the mice kept in enriched environments were leaner, even when their bored counterparts put in  two to three times as much work on their running wheels. And they were more resistant to becoming obese when fed high-fat diets. 

What kinds of social activities are you involved in? Do you feel like help keep you trim?

Related(ish):

Your most insecure pals may save your life

Four seconds is all it takes for silence to get awkward

Blush, and you'll get away with anything

Want more weird health news? Find The Body Odd on Facebook.

Discuss this post

I had a friend that is in the Yoga workout business. She was fun when we were actually "friends". But searching for a larger customer base made her fake and ignorant. She goes to a bunch of social events to pretend to be interested, put on a pretty face, and bull shi+. Social buterfly became an actual social b@#$%.

    Reply#1 - Mon Sep 19, 2011 2:06 PM EDT

    And the shy, introverted, quiet people like me, let me guess, we're all doomed to be fat, right? WRONG. I am not fat, my weight is fine.

    This is yet ANOTHER example of how introverts are misunderstood, judged, and put on a lower pedestal...it honestly seems like a form of shy people bashing. I'm sick of the quiet people getting such a bad rap. I'll bet there are plenty of skinny shy people out there.

    I've heard so many bad things about shy, quiet people, that are so judgmental, it sickens me:

    1. People think we're snobby or bitchy or unpleasant.

    2. People are soooo quick to assume we have Asperger's.

    3. People think that we're not "normal", that we're somehow "off".

     

    And now, we're fattys....unbelievable.

    • 3 votes
    Reply#2 - Mon Sep 19, 2011 2:14 PM EDT

    This article isn't saying shy people are fat, all it is saying is that if you happen to be overweight AND are introverted (or simply don't have the occasion to do many socially/physically oriented things), being surrounded by more extroverted people might have an influence on your weight. And it is all hypothetical aswell, concidering the study was done on mice. No one is bashing.

    • 1 vote
    #2.1 - Thu Sep 22, 2011 4:42 PM EDT

    A lot of things I see in the news, a lot of "health studies" that I read or hear about, is not written in stone. What might apply or work for a group does not necessarily apply to other groups. Especially when I hear about the alcohol studies and how drinking moderately has health benefits. It's not like you can't get those same health benefits by not drinking and just simply exercising and finding natural ways to reduce stress. LMAO!

      #2.2 - Wed Sep 28, 2011 12:08 PM EDT
      Reply

      Right, Isis, because being a fatty is just the worst thing ever. Poor, misunderstood you.

      • 1 vote
      Reply#3 - Mon Sep 19, 2011 4:09 PM EDT

      Smart ass Jane.....*sigh* it's not the fact that they assume shy people are fat that irks me, it's the fact that they are putting extroverts on the higher pedestal....and you know what???? DO YOU? INTROVERTS ARE MISUNDERSTOOD!

      I swear, everyone assumes the worst about us without really getting to know us.

      By your comment, you obviously think your better than me...you're probably an extrovert.

      You owe me an EXTREME apology for being such a smartmouth, TALKING DOWN TO ME, and being condescending. Seriously, that was uncalled for AND YOU KNOW IT MISSY.

      • 2 votes
      Reply#4 - Mon Sep 19, 2011 5:04 PM EDT

      Whew, thank God Isis represents and declares introverts aren't bitchy. No issues there. Rolleyes. No one assumed or generalized anything about you, "Missy".

      I'm rather introverted, and I've noticed many (read...not ALL) people who are more apt to be socially outgoing are just more likely to be physically active naturally...by virtue of engaging in activities. I choose yoga or pilates, but I do think it may be easier to stay in shape if I felt the nudge to get out more with others, unless its often at The Cheescake Factory, of course.

      • 1 vote
      Reply#5 - Wed Sep 21, 2011 9:58 AM EDT

      Don't call ME "missy" sweetheart....unless you're trying to be a PATHETIC COPYCAT. I did not say they generalized about ME, I'm saying this generalizes ALL introverts, as this:

      "Since, they're not social, they're not as active, therfore they're fatter".....that is what this article is saying in disguise, that's what I'm hearing, and I take offense to it.

      You do NOT HAVE TO BE SOCIAL TO BE ACTIVE. This article is bull@!$%#.

      Roll your eyes all you want sweetheart, I do NOT CARE what the article says...not ALL extroverts are skinner, and NOT ALL introverts are fatasses!!!!!!!!!! NUFF SAID!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! HAVE A NICE LIFE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

        #5.1 - Thu Sep 22, 2011 9:05 PM EDT

        Oh, almost forgot, if you people are going to respond to my posts, CEASE WITH THE SMARTASSNESS(that means you, VegetariansTasteBetter), and MAYBE I won't get so pissed....

        To everyone else: There.....I saved you all a bunch of time, since now you have NO reason to say I have an anger problem or are immature.

        I have a SMARTASS problem.

          #5.2 - Thu Sep 22, 2011 9:07 PM EDT
          Reply

          Really?? And who thought this up? I am one of the most social people and have tons of friends and goes out all the time. Yet I have not weighed less than 250 since I was 15!!!!!! So stick this study you know where and stop wasting peoples money!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

          • 1 vote
          Reply#6 - Thu Sep 22, 2011 5:47 PM EDT

          It may not be "bashing" but it DOES put extroverts on the higher pedestal. This article is basically saying, that introverts are less active, well I call BULL@!$%#. I am an introvert, and I am very active.

          • 1 vote
          Reply#7 - Thu Sep 22, 2011 9:01 PM EDT
          You're in Easy Mode. If you prefer, you can use XHTML Mode instead.
          As a new user, you may notice a few temporary content restrictions. Click here for more info.