Donna has gained several pounds since she has been friends with Katie and Sasha,who are both obese.Donna finds that she now tends to eat more unhealthful foods,and much larger portions of them.Donna's change in diet and weight can be explained by

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Donna's change in diet and weight can be explained by social influence, specifically the influence of her friends who are both obese. This is a well-known phenomenon and has been extensively studied in social psychology, where it is referred to as the "social contagion" of eating behavior. Research has shown that people tend to eat more (or less) when they are with others who are eating more (or less) than they normally would. This is especially true when people are with friends or family members, as opposed to strangers or acquaintances.

Donna Has Gained Several Pounds Since She Has Been Friends