In the article they are discussing the importance of a patient's social network on their ability to adhere to their treatment regime. They consider 2 of the major factors in Diabetes: Obesity and Smoking. While the end results are not totally surprising: More likely to become Obese if a family or friend is already obese and more likely to quit smoking if a spouse quite, it does put further emphasis on the whole social network, rather than just on immediate family. For us, as health professionals, it raises awareness that, as well as targetting patients and their families with advice, we need to make sure that the patient's friends also may need educating in healthy behaviours