Before you think this is a ploy to make a fat joke, it's not. A new study has found that overweight and obese people are more likely to "cluster" with others in their weight class and can actually influence whether or not they will lose weight.

Researchers asked 288 individuals between the ages of 18 and 25 who were of different health levels about their thoughts on obesity and how many overweight people they associated with, including family, friends and significant others. Overweight participants were also asked how many of their "fat" friends were trying to lose weight, if they had an intention of losing weight, and whether their close contacts would approve if they shed the pounds.

"Our data suggests that obesity 'clusters' in this population," said researcher Tricia Leahey, PhD. "But interestingly, social norms for obesity did not differ between the two groups and did not account for the clustering. Both groups reported similarly low levels of social acceptability for being overweight, eating unhealthy foods and being inactive."

The study also found that 25 percent of the overweight participants were dating someone overweight, compared to the 14 percent who were considered to have a healthy weight; 24 percent also had a heavy best friend.

However America's fight against the extra poundage isn't completely lost as the study showed that overweight and obese people who hung out with those who were trying to lose weight themselves were more likely to get on the healthy track as well.

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