Young people in other countries are remarkably thinner than Americans

[Anonymous]

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Anonymous wrote:Their cities are walkable, they have paid time off as part of their jobs so they can travel and stuff, and their food isn’t as processed and crammed with additives. This isn’t rocket science.

You can walk in the US too. Or you can exercise in other ways. We also have plentiful foods that are not processed or have additives. But people would rather be lazy and eat crap. This is a choice

Bingo.

Cities in the US are also walkable.

People all over the world, whether it is the US or China or India or Finland choose what they eat and choose how much they want to walk. There is nothing inherently better or worse about American culture that leads to obesity or diabetes.

Lol, what? So why are more Americans obese then? It's just a coincidence that people here choose to eat bad things or drive places and people in Finland choose to walk?

Well yes. People in the US choose to drive and eat crap because they can and it is the easiest option. As where many places in Europe, you need to walk out of necessity (harder to have/keep a car for short distances) and the processed food isn’t always the easier option or readily available to grab

Almost like there are structural differences that encourage healthier choices in Europe and less healthy choices here

People have free will. The only way to make Americans less fat would be to make cars and processed food unavailable. When given the choice- they will pick the easiest and least heathy option. People are inherently lazy and will take the easiest route. Still individual choice and that is who to blame.

You know that Europe has cars and processed food too right? They just have less, bc their policies encourage walkability and the availability of good food. I mean, if all you care about is blaming the right person, then sure, blame individuals. If you care about making people healthier, then support policies that will push them towards better choices.

Americans don’t even care about making their own selves healthier. You think the government can change that? Pandora’s box has been opened. People have largely lost the ability and will to prepare their own food. You can’t regulate that away. Short of banning all processed foods and fast food, people will even go out of their way for it if it means they don’t have to actually cook their own food. Especially if it is something rather boring due to time constraints or budget.

Anyone seen the commercial on Goldfish crackers...for adults? I just about facepalm when I saw that grownups in America would want to eat a nasty kid's food item as a snack.

Oh, give me a break. I know you hate America and your disdain for Americans is clear, but really? I am an immigrant and I eat quite clean, but I love goldfish crackers!

And have you traveled much outside of the US? I can think of dozens of examples of crazy foods that are popular with adults outside of the US that are even worse than Goldfish crackers.

But, who am so to interrupt this thread of condescension against Americans.

First of all, I don't hate this country. I am from a very expensive country where a tub of Fage yogurt could go for US$8. So even with the crazy inflation, my COL in the US is still low and my quality of life is high. I work out with my husband with a personal trainer for less than $200 a month. No way I could get that in my home country. There are health-conscious Americans I know, but most people here don't care what goes into their bodies. Goldfish crackers included.

Maybe you don't know many people? Almost everyone is on some sort of diet, of one kind or another. Almost everyone cares what goes into their bodies. But for so many people, life gets in the way of weight loss.

Everyone is on some sort of a diet bc they are fat and spent all of their 20s, 30s + eating terribly. Then they realize they are aging and overweight and try to eat heathy- but too little too late

My 52yo neighbor once started telling me that fruit and corn were bad because they were 'high in sugar' but had no problems scarfing down crackers which were 'only 5 calories per serving'. Seeing how she is was actually one of the reasons I have continued working out as she complains about X, Y, Z health issues but doesn't do anything to improve her health and wellness.

[Anonymous]

It is ironic that Muriel ("French Women Don't Get Fat") lived with a host family in America where all the family members were fat or obese. I know -- I am friends with that family, and they are still obese. (The kids are now adults, obviously.)

I need to find that leek soup diet. I have done the cabbage soup diet several times and I enjoy it, bit need variation.

[Anonymous]

I have not eaten out since the pandemic. Now i am rich and thin!

[Anonymous]

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Anonymous wrote:Their cities are walkable, they have paid time off as part of their jobs so they can travel and stuff, and their food isn’t as processed and crammed with additives. This isn’t rocket science.

You can walk in the US too. Or you can exercise in other ways. We also have plentiful foods that are not processed or have additives. But people would rather be lazy and eat crap. This is a choice

Bingo.

Cities in the US are also walkable.

People all over the world, whether it is the US or China or India or Finland choose what they eat and choose how much they want to walk. There is nothing inherently better or worse about American culture that leads to obesity or diabetes.

Lol, what? So why are more Americans obese then? It's just a coincidence that people here choose to eat bad things or drive places and people in Finland choose to walk?

Well yes. People in the US choose to drive and eat crap because they can and it is the easiest option. As where many places in Europe, you need to walk out of necessity (harder to have/keep a car for short distances) and the processed food isn’t always the easier option or readily available to grab

Almost like there are structural differences that encourage healthier choices in Europe and less healthy choices here

People have free will. The only way to make Americans less fat would be to make cars and processed food unavailable. When given the choice- they will pick the easiest and least heathy option. People are inherently lazy and will take the easiest route. Still individual choice and that is who to blame.

You know that Europe has cars and processed food too right? They just have less, bc their policies encourage walkability and the availability of good food. I mean, if all you care about is blaming the right person, then sure, blame individuals. If you care about making people healthier, then support policies that will push them towards better choices.

Americans don’t even care about making their own selves healthier. You think the government can change that? Pandora’s box has been opened. People have largely lost the ability and will to prepare their own food. You can’t regulate that away. Short of banning all processed foods and fast food, people will even go out of their way for it if it means they don’t have to actually cook their own food. Especially if it is something rather boring due to time constraints or budget.

Anyone seen the commercial on Goldfish crackers...for adults? I just about facepalm when I saw that grownups in America would want to eat a nasty kid's food item as a snack.

Oh, give me a break. I know you hate America and your disdain for Americans is clear, but really? I am an immigrant and I eat quite clean, but I love goldfish crackers!

And have you traveled much outside of the US? I can think of dozens of examples of crazy foods that are popular with adults outside of the US that are even worse than Goldfish crackers.

But, who am so to interrupt this thread of condescension against Americans.

First of all, I don't hate this country. I am from a very expensive country where a tub of Fage yogurt could go for US$8. So even with the crazy inflation, my COL in the US is still low and my quality of life is high. I work out with my husband with a personal trainer for less than $200 a month. No way I could get that in my home country. There are health-conscious Americans I know, but most people here don't care what goes into their bodies. Goldfish crackers included.

Maybe you don't know many people? Almost everyone is on some sort of diet, of one kind or another. Almost everyone cares what goes into their bodies. But for so many people, life gets in the way of weight loss.

Everyone is on some sort of a diet bc they are fat and spent all of their 20s, 30s + eating terribly. Then they realize they are aging and overweight and try to eat heathy- but too little too late

My 52yo neighbor once started telling me that fruit and corn were bad because they were 'high in sugar' but had no problems scarfing down crackers which were 'only 5 calories per serving'. Seeing how she is was actually one of the reasons I have continued working out as she complains about X, Y, Z health issues but doesn't do anything to improve her health and wellness.

If it comes out of the ground or off a tree, eat it people! Yes, even a (gasp) white potato. The diet industry is just ruining us. Do they still have home ec in schools? They seriously need to mandate nutritious cooking classes.

[Anonymous]

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Anonymous wrote:I'm American and thin but have to really restrain myself to eat only when and how much I need. Portion size everywhere is crazy big. Yesterday I got a food bowl at Naya (middle-eastern) at Moynihan Train Hall, and it was so much food. Way more than anybody needs for a normal meal. Same with an order of Pad Thai the day before. Each of them made 2 to 3 meals if I could hold back from eating more than a sufficient amount just because it tastes good.

I try to cook most of my own food, but i split takeout or restaurant portions into 2-3 meals, too. And I just try to reframe it as getting a deal because I get 3 yummy meals for the price of 1! And I repurpose it- leftover fried chicken from dinner can go in a wrap for lunch, that sort of thing.

This reminds me of a lunch outing to a Thai eatery with my girlfriends. I told DH I would bring him back an order of pad thai. I ordered one for myself and didn't bother ordering another one for DH because I was full within 5 bites. The server got me a to-go box, into which my pad thai leftovers went and DH was happy he had such a thoughtful wife while I managed to save myself $20.

Exactly! I just see is at as a money- and time-saver for myself rather than fretting over the large restaurant portions. I’ve even managed to recrisp extra fries in the oven before- not the easiest but it’s worked in some cases and it made a fine leftover side dish for grilled meat and vegetables.

[Anonymous]

This reminds me of a lunch outing to a Thai eatery with my girlfriends. I told DH I would bring him back an order of pad thai. I ordered one for myself and didn't bother ordering another one for DH because I was full within 5 bites. The server got me a to-go box, into which my pad thai leftovers went and DH was happy he had such a thoughtful wife while I managed to save myself $20.

I'm a hefty 115 pounds and I am somehow not satisfied with 5 bites of food. I guess I'm a disgusting pig for eating more than a toddler.

[Anonymous]

I grew up mostly in England but also on the East coast of the US for a while. The opinion in England at that time was that Americans are all fat and greedy. It's a horrible stereotype and used to make me so angry, but these types were based on the tourists seen in public, the loud ones, the ones taking up two seats, not the quiet ones who were not dressed in beige.

But there's been an explosion of obesity in Continental Europe since then, largely due to access to fast foods and longer hours to go drinking.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

This reminds me of a lunch outing to a Thai eatery with my girlfriends. I told DH I would bring him back an order of pad thai. I ordered one for myself and didn't bother ordering another one for DH because I was full within 5 bites. The server got me a to-go box, into which my pad thai leftovers went and DH was happy he had such a thoughtful wife while I managed to save myself $20.

I'm a hefty 115 pounds and I am somehow not satisfied with 5 bites of food. I guess I'm a disgusting pig for eating more than a toddler.

I think the point is that pp stopped eating when she was full. Maybe pp shared appetizers with her friends. Maybe she ate a late lunch. Maybe “5 bites” is hyperbole. If your body says you’re full, it’s ok to stop eating.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I grew up mostly in England but also on the East coast of the US for a while. The opinion in England at that time was that Americans are all fat and greedy. It's a horrible stereotype and used to make me so angry, but these types were based on the tourists seen in public, the loud ones, the ones taking up two seats, not the quiet ones who were not dressed in beige.

But there's been an explosion of obesity in Continental Europe since then, largely due to access to fast foods and longer hours to go drinking.

LOL! So there has been an explosion of obesity in continental Europe? But, not in your beloved England? I assure you that Brits are, on average, heavier than any other Continental European nation!
And no, not BCS they smoke like chimneys, that stereotype needs to go too, but here are many on dcum propagating that dumb crap.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It is ironic that Muriel ("French Women Don't Get Fat") lived with a host family in America where all the family members were fat or obese. I know -- I am friends with that family, and they are still obese. (The kids are now adults, obviously.)

I need to find that leek soup diet. I have done the cabbage soup diet several times and I enjoy it, bit need variation.

It’s Mireille, not Muriel.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It is ironic that Muriel ("French Women Don't Get Fat") lived with a host family in America where all the family members were fat or obese. I know -- I am friends with that family, and they are still obese. (The kids are now adults, obviously.)

I need to find that leek soup diet. I have done the cabbage soup diet several times and I enjoy it, bit need variation.

It’s Mireille, not Muriel.

Yeah, I know, but i am too lazy to correct the auto-correct.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It is ironic that Muriel ("French Women Don't Get Fat") lived with a host family in America where all the family members were fat or obese. I know -- I am friends with that family, and they are still obese. (The kids are now adults, obviously.)

I need to find that leek soup diet. I have done the cabbage soup diet several times and I enjoy it, bit need variation.

It’s Mireille, not Muriel.

Yeah, I know, but i am too lazy to correct the auto-correct.

Ha same.

[Anonymous]

Seems to me that overall, people are fatter than they used to be. There are even overweight mannikins now -- saw one in Target.

Normal weight people are so rare that chubby people are telling them that they are too thin and need to gain weight.
(Guess how I know!)

I've heard people say that their doctor told them it was good to carry extra weight in case they got ill, so it would take longer for their illness to make them underweight.

Hopefully that's not common, because so many illnesses are caused or exacerbated by overweight or sedentary living.

Meanwhile, I'll try to ignore the fear mongers and won't tell people that they re too fat and need to lose a few pounds. That's a non-no, but apparently, the opposite is completely acceptable these days.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Their cities are walkable, they have paid time off as part of their jobs so they can travel and stuff, and their food isn’t as processed and crammed with additives. This isn’t rocket science.

You can walk in the US too. Or you can exercise in other ways. We also have plentiful foods that are not processed or have additives. But people would rather be lazy and eat crap. This is a choice

Bingo.

Cities in the US are also walkable.

People all over the world, whether it is the US or China or India or Finland choose what they eat and choose how much they want to walk. There is nothing inherently better or worse about American culture that leads to obesity or diabetes.

Lol, what? So why are more Americans obese then? It's just a coincidence that people here choose to eat bad things or drive places and people in Finland choose to walk?

Well yes. People in the US choose to drive and eat crap because they can and it is the easiest option. As where many places in Europe, you need to walk out of necessity (harder to have/keep a car for short distances) and the processed food isn’t always the easier option or readily available to grab

Almost like there are structural differences that encourage healthier choices in Europe and less healthy choices here

People have free will. The only way to make Americans less fat would be to make cars and processed food unavailable. When given the choice- they will pick the easiest and least heathy option. People are inherently lazy and will take the easiest route. Still individual choice and that is who to blame.

You know that Europe has cars and processed food too right? They just have less, bc their policies encourage walkability and the availability of good food. I mean, if all you care about is blaming the right person, then sure, blame individuals. If you care about making people healthier, then support policies that will push them towards better choices.

Americans don’t even care about making their own selves healthier. You think the government can change that? Pandora’s box has been opened. People have largely lost the ability and will to prepare their own food. You can’t regulate that away. Short of banning all processed foods and fast food, people will even go out of their way for it if it means they don’t have to actually cook their own food. Especially if it is something rather boring due to time constraints or budget.

Anyone seen the commercial on Goldfish crackers...for adults? I just about facepalm when I saw that grownups in America would want to eat a nasty kid's food item as a snack.

Oh, give me a break. I know you hate America and your disdain for Americans is clear, but really? I am an immigrant and I eat quite clean, but I love goldfish crackers!

And have you traveled much outside of the US? I can think of dozens of examples of crazy foods that are popular with adults outside of the US that are even worse than Goldfish crackers.

But, who am so to interrupt this thread of condescension against Americans.

First of all, I don't hate this country. I am from a very expensive country where a tub of Fage yogurt could go for US$8. So even with the crazy inflation, my COL in the US is still low and my quality of life is high. I work out with my husband with a personal trainer for less than $200 a month. No way I could get that in my home country. There are health-conscious Americans I know, but most people here don't care what goes into their bodies. Goldfish crackers included.

Maybe you don't know many people? Almost everyone is on some sort of diet, of one kind or another. Almost everyone cares what goes into their bodies. But for so many people, life gets in the way of weight loss.

Everyone is on some sort of a diet bc they are fat and spent all of their 20s, 30s + eating terribly. Then they realize they are aging and overweight and try to eat heathy- but too little too late

Honey, everyone is aging. Your macrobiotic diet won’t keep you from the reaper.

Sounds like an excuse to keep eating crap.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Seems to me that overall, people are fatter than they used to be. There are even overweight mannikins now -- saw one in Target.

Normal weight people are so rare that chubby people are telling them that they are too thin and need to gain weight.
(Guess how I know!)

I've heard people say that their doctor told them it was good to carry extra weight in case they got ill, so it would take longer for their illness to make them underweight.

Hopefully that's not common, because so many illnesses are caused or exacerbated by overweight or sedentary living.

Meanwhile, I'll try to ignore the fear mongers and won't tell people that they re too fat and need to lose a few pounds. That's a non-no, but apparently, the opposite is completely acceptable these days.

It's true. The BMI with the lowest all-cause mortality rate is now 27, up from 24 in the 1970s, which is considered overweight.

https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/fullarticle/2520627