Analyzing the Effects of Different Network Structures on Obesity Spreading through Social Contagion

抄録

This paper aims to clarify the social dynamics of obesity by simulating agents' adaptive behavior under different network structures. While some previous studies have empirically demonstrated the social contagion process in which social norms are regarded as relevant to the spread of obesity, the issue of whether the underlying contagion mechanisms are affected by different topologies of agents' network still remains to be addressed. Taking into account the agents' decision making process where the interactions between their adaptive behavior and social norms play a significant role, this study focuses on the analysis of network structures which may strengthen or attenuate the spread of obesity within a society. Deriving useful insights from the simulations, we will present effective measures to prevent the obesity epidemic.