Note the question mark. This story is sweeping the internets.

New study results bolster the controversial hypothesis that certain cases of obesity are contagious. Over the last 20 years, some research has suggested that certain strains of human and avian adenoviruses–responsible for ailments ranging from the chest colds to pink eye–actually make individuals build up more fat cells.

Definately one of the strangest things I’ve seen on Scientific American, but they do go in for the more sensationalist stuff. Full story link.