Greater risk factor in death: obesity, or loneliness?
 

wrong

Psych Central: Loneliness Epidemic Growing into Biggest Threat to Public Health

nytimes story on it

one article I read says loneliness is about the same as smoking 15 cigarettes a day as a predictor of death

I was reading a book over the summer that talked about the relationship between our lifestyles and the production of telomerase and therefore the length or our telomeres which determines the reproduction (rejuvenation) of our cells, and therefore our susceptibility to disease and early aging.

Loneliness and our social support was mentioned as a major factor in telomerase production. Several studies backed it up. She had a huge list of studies in the bibliography, although I didn't check any of them out.

I recommend this book, although what it tells you is stuff that you already know to be true:

Attachment 61932

Friendship is unnecessary, has no survival value, however it is one of the major things that make survival valuable. :yesnod:

Friends will seek you out when you are missing and maybe save you from peril -mental or physical.

Friendship has massive survival value... you hunt, I fish, whichever one is successful shares their bounty... we lift the logs that are too heavy for one, and build a shelter that protects us both... we care for each other's offspring and ensure their survival when the other is sick...

Yeah, just like in the Donner party.

So you're betting your life on mutual cooperation and succor. Good luck.

Plus, someone to call 911 if you collapse at home.

And, to bring it back to the thread title, someone to nag you about your obesity.

Here is a case where too much nagging can harm your own health.

I'm alone in the world, but, I ain't lonely.

I am still fat (2 pounds to get to 100 pounds lost, though:)).

wow! well done

That's impressive, Grav.

I lost 140, and glad to be rid of her. ;)

Damn. Good work! Alone is not equal to lonely. You can be lonely as hell living with the wrong person.

DING! DING! DING! Behold the wisdom of Griff, he speaketh the truth!!! :notworthy:notworthy:notworthy