“You are the average of the five people you spend the most time with” according to motivational speaker Jim Rohn. When it comes to your health, it turns out that he is right. A new study finds that your doctor probably doesn’t have the most say in your decisions.

Family and friends help.

 
After “themselves,” 43% of respondents believe that their friends and family have the most impact on their lifestyle as it relates to health. 36% believe friends and family have the most impact on personal nutrition. The social nature of health influence was a major theme of global findings from the more than 15,000-person, 12-country survey.

Online social networks help.

 
Increasingly, people are socializing with their friends and families online. The study also found that who you socialize with online has a big impact on your health too. 51% of respondents said they turn to digital sources such as social networks like DailyBurn for information when making health decisions, and while only 20% of the public is currently using tools, devices and apps to manage or track their own health, 68% of those who do say these technologies have helped improve their health.

Public policy doesn’t help.

 
Despite governments who want to tax unhealthy food choices (check out Denmark’s fat tax) this global study shows that government intervention has the least impact on healthy choices. Business intervention was found to be important but not effective. Globally, 82% of respondents believe it is important for business to improve and maintain the health of the public – yet only 32% said business is currently doing a good job

Do you agree or disagree? Who influences your health?

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