Young people in other countries are remarkably thinner than Americans

[Anonymous]

This isn't necessarily a comment on obesity, so much as an observation of different body types among young and young-ish (let's say, people under 30 or women under 35 who haven't given birth) people in the USA versus Europe.

I am a normal weight, athletic American. Most people around here would describe me as on the thin side of normal, but with a booty. I usually wear a size 4.

I spent three years living in various countries abroad, and at the time (I was in my early 20s) I had to fight off some nagging body image issues due to how thin everyone was. Again, it's not the lack of obesity - there were plenty of overweight and obese people, especially older women and middle-aged men. Most young women were probably 50kg or less. They didn't work out like crazy like I do, they just ate less. Portions are smaller and having three square meals + snacks just isn't really a thing. This isn't to say they didn't indulge on occasions, especially parties and holidays, but if we were just having lunch during a normal day, usually a coffee and a piece of fruit would be enough. It wasn't even like there was a diet culture, other women just said they weren't hungry and were just used to eating less. They certainly walk more than most Americans, but weren't gym crazy or into running like me.

I tried to reassure myself that my body was probably healthier, being more active and athletic and getting sick less (a lot of these women would often fall ill with colds and need to stay home for several days), but it was hard not to envy how elegant and feminine their thin bodies were and I felt chunky and androgynous by comparison.

I wonder how much Americans are just predestined to be bigger - even those that eat healthy and exercise. Like if all the chemicals and toxins in our food have genetically altered Americans in some way.

Also worth mentioning is how there was not a single overweight child... I found it so remarkable how active European children are, like it was the good-old days or something before screen time. During school recess, for example, everyone was playing an active game of soccer. Children actively PLAYED whenever there was time outdoors, supervised or not. They were not just standing with snacks and talking or looking at their phones and tablets.

[Anonymous]

The thing is, you are describing many parts of the US as well. I live in DC and I rarely see overweight children or people in their 20s or 30s. I lived in Denver, Northern California, Seattle, and Minneapolis for a time and it was similar. I guess the one thing that is different is that people in all of these places do work out, but if Americans were really pre-destined to be heavier, you would see more obese people.

In my observation, the biggest correlation with obesity in the US is poverty and education. I grew up in a small town and there is lots of obesity there, but especially among the poorest members of the community. This is also true in my dad's Midwestern hometown. There, you also see a lot of obesity among middle class and UMC people, but there are also much lower levels of education generally.

I do think some people have genetic predispositions for obesity. I also know that thinness really does not correlate perfectly with health -- I wonder how many of the countries you've lived in have much higher rates of smoking than in the US. Nicotine can suppress appetite but smoking, of course, is terrible for your health. No doctor would recommend trading off obesity for a smoking habit.

I think we tend to compare our image of certain segments of the US (more rural, less education, lower income) against people living in foreign capitals. That doesn't make sense. New York City, for instance, is full of thin people, just like Paris is. But have you spent much time outside these major cities in foreign countries, in areas where people have less access to education and disposable incomes? I don't know for sure, but I would anticipate that you'd also see higher rates of obesity. I know that obesity rates are rising in Western Europe and would expect them to follow similar patterns to those in the US in terms of geography and demographics.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This isn't necessarily a comment on obesity, so much as an observation of different body types among young and young-ish (let's say, people under 30 or women under 35 who haven't given birth) people in the USA versus Europe.

I am a normal weight, athletic American. Most people around here would describe me as on the thin side of normal, but with a booty. I usually wear a size 4.

I spent three years living in various countries abroad, and at the time (I was in my early 20s) I had to fight off some nagging body image issues due to how thin everyone was. Again, it's not the lack of obesity - there were plenty of overweight and obese people, especially older women and middle-aged men. Most young women were probably 50kg or less. They didn't work out like crazy like I do, they just ate less. Portions are smaller and having three square meals + snacks just isn't really a thing. This isn't to say they didn't indulge on occasions, especially parties and holidays, but if we were just having lunch during a normal day, usually a coffee and a piece of fruit would be enough. It wasn't even like there was a diet culture, other women just said they weren't hungry and were just used to eating less. They certainly walk more than most Americans, but weren't gym crazy or into running like me.

I tried to reassure myself that my body was probably healthier, being more active and athletic and getting sick less (a lot of these women would often fall ill with colds and need to stay home for several days), but it was hard not to envy how elegant and feminine their thin bodies were and I felt chunky and androgynous by comparison.

I wonder how much Americans are just predestined to be bigger - even those that eat healthy and exercise. Like if all the chemicals and toxins in our food have genetically altered Americans in some way.

Also worth mentioning is how there was not a single overweight child... I found it so remarkable how active European children are, like it was the good-old days or something before screen time. During school recess, for example, everyone was playing an active game of soccer. Children actively PLAYED whenever there was time outdoors, supervised or not. They were not just standing with snacks and talking or looking at their phones and tablets.

I kinda doubt that.

[Anonymous]

I know OP. Generally speaking, Americans are much fatter than other countries.

[Anonymous]

I disagree that this doesn't hit higher educated, wealthier places here in America. I live in a wealthy educated suburb in DC. I would say at least 50% of the high school students (especially girls, sorry to say) would have been considered chubby or fat when I was in high school. They may not technically be overweight yet, but probably have a BMI approaching overweight range. And it's very rare that people get thinner post-high school, so I worry these kids are destined for a lifetime of weight struggles.

[Anonymous]

I live in Southern California and most kids are thin. Maybe it’s where you live.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I live in Southern California and most kids are thin. Maybe it’s where you live.

it's definitely where you are in the US. Go to Appalachia or the South. They're all fat AF.

[Anonymous]

I'm in my early 30s and growing up and high school (18 years ago)- we didn't have that many overweight kids. It was shocking to me looking back who was considered the "fat" kids. They'd be normal sized now. I cannot get over how fat everyone is walking home from my local HS. Even the elementary kids at my kids' school.

Needless to say, I think there's going to be an explosion of obesity when these kids hit 25+. Once you have kids, weight isn't so easy to keep off or lose as it was in high school

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This isn't necessarily a comment on obesity, so much as an observation of different body types among young and young-ish (let's say, people under 30 or women under 35 who haven't given birth) people in the USA versus Europe.

I am a normal weight, athletic American. Most people around here would describe me as on the thin side of normal, but with a booty. I usually wear a size 4.

I spent three years living in various countries abroad, and at the time (I was in my early 20s) I had to fight off some nagging body image issues due to how thin everyone was. Again, it's not the lack of obesity - there were plenty of overweight and obese people, especially older women and middle-aged men. Most young women were probably 50kg or less. They didn't work out like crazy like I do, they just ate less. Portions are smaller and having three square meals + snacks just isn't really a thing. This isn't to say they didn't indulge on occasions, especially parties and holidays, but if we were just having lunch during a normal day, usually a coffee and a piece of fruit would be enough. It wasn't even like there was a diet culture, other women just said they weren't hungry and were just used to eating less. They certainly walk more than most Americans, but weren't gym crazy or into running like me.

I tried to reassure myself that my body was probably healthier, being more active and athletic and getting sick less (a lot of these women would often fall ill with colds and need to stay home for several days), but it was hard not to envy how elegant and feminine their thin bodies were and I felt chunky and androgynous by comparison.

I wonder how much Americans are just predestined to be bigger - even those that eat healthy and exercise. Like if all the chemicals and toxins in our food have genetically altered Americans in some way.

Also worth mentioning is how there was not a single overweight child... I found it so remarkable how active European children are, like it was the good-old days or something before screen time. During school recess, for example, everyone was playing an active game of soccer. Children actively PLAYED whenever there was time outdoors, supervised or not. They were not just standing with snacks and talking or looking at their phones and tablets.

I kinda doubt that.

Yeah 110lbs is pretty small for Europe. I'm petite and 5'1 and weigh that. Taller women would have trouble weighing that. Maybe in Asia it would be a normal size. Fun fact- I wear size Large in Chinese sizes! I'm an XS in the US

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I live in Southern California and most kids are thin. Maybe it’s where you live.

it's definitely where you are in the US. Go to Appalachia or the South. They're all fat AF.

+1 In Louisiana, people come in 2 sizes: obese or meth skinny.

[Anonymous]

OP, I also think your perspective is likely skewed because by your own admission you had self image issues at the time, and were in your early 20s.

It's common for people to only "see" the people they compare themselves too. I had a friend in college who had this weird thing about how "everyone" was blonde, all the girls at school were blonde. But they weren't. Half or more than half of the women at our university had dark hair. It's just that my friend, who had dark hair, didn't see them. She only saw the blonde women because she was envious of them.

It's true there are more obese people in the US than in other countries, but if you look at statistics (1) that is changing -- obesity rates are rising in Europe, for instance, and (2) as others have pointed out, it really depends on where you are in the US and the demographics of the population. You can't really compare the US to the UK or France. Instead, try comparing it to all of Europe. Ever been to parts of southern and Eastern Europe? You will encounter more obesity (and more poverty and lower education levels) there.

I think you are falling prey to some biases in your observations.

[Anonymous]

Which countries, or region of the world?

[Anonymous]

I personally think the whole food chain in America is seriously broken. All of it, from the types of food we grow and how we grow it (e.g. corn-fed cows) to how it's manufactured (so much sugar, corn syrup) to how we market and sell/deliver it. I married a European and was really startled when we started visiting his family regularly and I got really see firsthand how families eat and WHAT they eat. There's so much more healthy food readily available to eat on the go (e.g. cheese sandwich on good dark bread instead of a cheeseburger at the airport or train station or park). Most European countries also have a significantly better work-life balance which provides more time and mental energy to cook at home.

It's systemic, at all levels, and yet we spend so much time in this country excoriating each other for not making "the right personal choices." Which of course plays right into the hands of the giant agribusinesses and food corporations as it prevents us not only from regulating food more rigorously here. (So, politics as usual, I suppose.)

I don't think this is the same at all as being predestined to be bigger, except in the sense that our food culture is "pre-destining" us I guess.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This isn't necessarily a comment on obesity, so much as an observation of different body types among young and young-ish (let's say, people under 30 or women under 35 who haven't given birth) people in the USA versus Europe.

I am a normal weight, athletic American. Most people around here would describe me as on the thin side of normal, but with a booty. I usually wear a size 4.

I spent three years living in various countries abroad, and at the time (I was in my early 20s) I had to fight off some nagging body image issues due to how thin everyone was. Again, it's not the lack of obesity - there were plenty of overweight and obese people, especially older women and middle-aged men. Most young women were probably 50kg or less. They didn't work out like crazy like I do, they just ate less. Portions are smaller and having three square meals + snacks just isn't really a thing. This isn't to say they didn't indulge on occasions, especially parties and holidays, but if we were just having lunch during a normal day, usually a coffee and a piece of fruit would be enough. It wasn't even like there was a diet culture, other women just said they weren't hungry and were just used to eating less. They certainly walk more than most Americans, but weren't gym crazy or into running like me.

I tried to reassure myself that my body was probably healthier, being more active and athletic and getting sick less (a lot of these women would often fall ill with colds and need to stay home for several days), but it was hard not to envy how elegant and feminine their thin bodies were and I felt chunky and androgynous by comparison.

I wonder how much Americans are just predestined to be bigger - even those that eat healthy and exercise. Like if all the chemicals and toxins in our food have genetically altered Americans in some way.

Also worth mentioning is how there was not a single overweight child... I found it so remarkable how active European children are, like it was the good-old days or something before screen time. During school recess, for example, everyone was playing an active game of soccer. Children actively PLAYED whenever there was time outdoors, supervised or not. They were not just standing with snacks and talking or looking at their phones and tablets.

Interesting. The European governments disagree with you.

1. 40% of the 10-11 year old children in England are obese or overweight (25% obese, 15% overweight). -- https://researchbriefings.files.parliament.uk/documents/SN03336/SN03336.pdf
2. 35% of children in Spain are obese or overweight (15% obese, 20% overweight). -- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21074906/
3. 32% of children in Italy are obese or overweight (10% obese, 22% overweight). --https://www.alliedacademies.org/articles/whats-going-on-pediatric-obesity-report-from-italy-10571.html

That's ranging from 1/3 to nearly 1/2 of the children. Do you just not see them, like they are invisible, or ...?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This isn't necessarily a comment on obesity, so much as an observation of different body types among young and young-ish (let's say, people under 30 or women under 35 who haven't given birth) people in the USA versus Europe.

I am a normal weight, athletic American. Most people around here would describe me as on the thin side of normal, but with a booty. I usually wear a size 4.

I spent three years living in various countries abroad, and at the time (I was in my early 20s) I had to fight off some nagging body image issues due to how thin everyone was. Again, it's not the lack of obesity - there were plenty of overweight and obese people, especially older women and middle-aged men. Most young women were probably 50kg or less. They didn't work out like crazy like I do, they just ate less. Portions are smaller and having three square meals + snacks just isn't really a thing. This isn't to say they didn't indulge on occasions, especially parties and holidays, but if we were just having lunch during a normal day, usually a coffee and a piece of fruit would be enough. It wasn't even like there was a diet culture, other women just said they weren't hungry and were just used to eating less. They certainly walk more than most Americans, but weren't gym crazy or into running like me.

I tried to reassure myself that my body was probably healthier, being more active and athletic and getting sick less (a lot of these women would often fall ill with colds and need to stay home for several days), but it was hard not to envy how elegant and feminine their thin bodies were and I felt chunky and androgynous by comparison.

I wonder how much Americans are just predestined to be bigger - even those that eat healthy and exercise. Like if all the chemicals and toxins in our food have genetically altered Americans in some way.

Also worth mentioning is how there was not a single overweight child... I found it so remarkable how active European children are, like it was the good-old days or something before screen time. During school recess, for example, everyone was playing an active game of soccer. Children actively PLAYED whenever there was time outdoors, supervised or not. They were not just standing with snacks and talking or looking at their phones and tablets.

I lived in Europe for a while and there’s a thin culture, if not a diet culture. European moms teach their kids from a young age how to avoid getting fat, particularly around eating. Stores carry much smaller sizes than over here. The eating habits you describe in the bolded don’t sound like they’re making
what we consider to be a minimum daily caloric requirement (although we could quibble about that).

Europeans also used to smoke more than we do, although that’s ended.

That said, I’m certainly not going to defend our food chain issues, portion size and lack of exercise. One thing I liked about living in Paris was exactly the fact that apartment living forced me to walk everywhere. That and a yoghurt for lunch, and I was at the small end of their small sizes.