Young people in other countries are remarkably thinner than Americans

[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 would like to know where in Europe women eat a piece of fruit and coffee as "lunch." I've lived in a few European countries and that is definitely not a thing for anyone.

[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.

Young people in Europe smoke at higher rates than in the US. That may contribute to this too.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote: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.

I agree with this based on my experience living in the U.S. and a southern European country.

[Anonymous]

There are much stricter food ingredient regulations in Europe, to the point that "American" brands don't even have the same ingredients there.

Higher quality food, plus socialized medicine, plus mass transportation and walking all led to less obesity.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:There are much stricter food ingredient regulations in Europe, to the point that "American" brands don't even have the same ingredients there.

Higher quality food, plus socialized medicine, plus mass transportation and walking all led to less obesity.

+1 and portion size.

People here think the US have the higest standards for food and drugs, but that's not true. EU standards are very strict, to the point of being ridiculous, which is one of the reasons why the UK wanted out.

Spouse is a Brit.

I trust the UK food and medicine 1000%.

[Anonymous]

On your observations about children, I feel like I see what you’re saying about the US.

Comparing my gen in 80s/90s to now.

I have 27 nieces and nephews. And my kids.

A good handful of them are overweight. Many of them are not.

The divide?

“Who wants to come out to play at the park with us?” We do soccer, lacrosse, running on the fields, jumping off the park equipment, all sorts of gymnastics moves the kids are teaching each other. The ones who don’t want to come along are on a screen, sitting.

I am not judging them. But when they wonder why in future years the answer will be 8,000 hours of activity vs. 8,000 hours of sitting. I say this, as I am sitting.

[Anonymous]

Just bringing this forward.

If the UK, Spain, and Italy are representative of Europe in general, somewhere around 1/3 to almost 1/2 of the children are obese or overweight.

Not that this justifying anything, but let's be realistic about the situation.

#1

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....
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.

#2

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]

Americans are overweight. This isn’t new information.

[Anonymous]

Fat acceptance movement

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Fat acceptance movement

So, in Europe, too?

[Anonymous]

Moved to us from eur as young adult and was shocked my first few months here as to how many fat and or overweight people there were. I got used to it. I'm middle aged now and people sometimes comments on how slim I am. But newsflash is that I am normal healthy BMI. Our references get skewed.

Fun fact: I still use my same dishes fron years ago that I had purchased in Austria (where I grew up). The width of my dinner plates are 1-2 inches smaller than standard dinner plates here.

Everything is bigger here, literally everything, incl. the people. It is a systemic problem with many factors including processed food that is ubiquitous, cup holders in cars, so called small drinks that I'd consider medium of r large in EU.

[Anonymous]

Americans are gluttonous.

I stopped in Starbucks yesterday. Every person in line was a overweight getting a super large shake looking drink with syrup all over it and whipped cream. And one for their kids top. NO ONE ordered a regular coffee.

Getting ice cream, I overhear people complain if they don't think they were given enough. They need a waffle cone filled to the brim.

Same thing all over. Portions are ridiculous but people except them and "want their money's worth" and will complain otherwise.

And people like the fast convenience foods- in large quantities.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Americans are gluttonous.

I stopped in Starbucks yesterday. Every person in line was a overweight getting a super large shake looking drink with syrup all over it and whipped cream. And one for their kids top. NO ONE ordered a regular coffee.

Getting ice cream, I overhear people complain if they don't think they were given enough. They need a waffle cone filled to the brim.

Same thing all over. Portions are ridiculous but people except them and "want their money's worth" and will complain otherwise.

And people like the fast convenience foods- in large quantities.

Agreed. It's gross. I grew up on EU and came here as young adult. The kiddie sized cups of ice cream are the standard regular size overseas.

[Anonymous]

I spent my entire early adult life living in other countries (ages 22-32). I am considered on the smaller size in the US (120 lb, so not tiny but not large). I felt huge overseas. I felt like I was stockier and broader than most women, regardless of where I was (Europe, East Africa, and parts of Southeast Asia bring the primary places).

I was actually thinner then I am now, and I had some friends describe me as “robust” and “plump” a few times— which I found hurtful but it was not meant as an insult. I actually think my frame was bigger than many women— not even my height, but my actual bone structure.

What I noticed with my European friends is that they did not snack, and their portions were small. They walked or biked everywhere. And they did, absolutely, care about their weight— but never seemed to be dieting. They were just very cognizant of what they ate.

Anyway OP— I definitely noticed these things. And I was “skinny” at the time!

[Anonymous]

Go over the elementary kids forum and a whole bunch of parents will tell you that you are prepping your kids for disordered eating and obesity if you don't have a steady stream of junk food always available in your house.

What if I just want to have regular food in my house?

You just can't win.