Evolution of social networks: the example of obesity

Biogerontology. 2014 Dec;15(6):611-26. doi: 10.1007/s10522-014-9542-z. Epub 2014 Dec 3.

Abstract

The present paper deals with the effect of the social transmission of nutrition habits in a social and biological age-dependent context on obesity, and accordingly on type II diabetes and among its complications, the neurodegenerative diseases. The evolution of social networks and inside a network the healthy weight of a person are depending on the context in which this person has contacts and exchanges concerning his alimentation, physical activity and sedentary habits, inside the dominant social network in which the person lives (e.g., scholar for young, professional for adult, home or institution for elderly people). Three successive steps of evolution will be considered for social networks (like for neural one's): initial random connectivity, destruction and consolidation of links following a new transition rule called homophilic until an asymptotic architectural organization and configuration of states. The application of such a network dynamics concerns the sequence overweight/obesity/type II diabetes and neurodegenerative diseases.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Aging / psychology
  • Computer Simulation
  • Cultural Evolution
  • Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / etiology
  • Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / psychology
  • Feeding Behavior / psychology
  • Humans
  • Models, Psychological
  • Neurodegenerative Diseases / etiology
  • Neurodegenerative Diseases / psychology
  • Obesity / etiology*
  • Obesity / prevention & control
  • Obesity / psychology
  • Social Networking*