Why are so many women in their early to mid 20s already so heavy? Is this mainly a USA phenomenon?

[Anonymous]

Look I understand a little weight gain at 41, 42 or 43 or even at 31, 32 or 33.

But at 21? 22? 23?

Early to mid 20s are supposed to be one's one prime pencil thin swimsuit worthy years.

[Anonymous]

Because sometimes we come from badly dysfunctional families and ate our feelings.

Thankfully, some of us untangle that mess at some point and lose the weight, and are in better shape at 40 than 30 or 20 or even 10, but you never know what someone else has been through.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Because sometimes we come from badly dysfunctional families and ate our feelings.

Thankfully, some of us untangle that mess at some point and lose the weight, and are in better shape at 40 than 30 or 20 or even 10, but you never know what someone else has been through.

Surely those same problems existed in previous decades when most women were not so heavy at such younger ages.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Because sometimes we come from badly dysfunctional families and ate our feelings.

Thankfully, some of us untangle that mess at some point and lose the weight, and are in better shape at 40 than 30 or 20 or even 10, but you never know what someone else has been through.

Surely those same problems existed in previous decades when most women were not so heavy at such younger ages.

Of course. They smoked, did drugs, took their crap out on other people, or found another unhealthy outlet. Being overweight/obese is no fun, but there are often a lot of underlying issues that lead someone to get there. You have not walked in their shoes.

[Anonymous]

Smoking alone was huge prior to the last decade or two.

Ugly blackened lungs, cancer, heart disease -- but yeah, it's an effective appetite suppressant for many, so yay? Not so much.

[Anonymous]

It’s the way they are eating. Also, the lack of social stigma- it seems to me being chubby is quite socially acceptable at that age (was much less when I was their age- I’m 40). In some ways this is good, but in others ways not so much. Generally weight is only go going to increase from there so if one is already chubby at 20 think how they will be at 40

[Anonymous]

Many young women take antidepressants, ADHD meds, birth control pills, etc. and often the combo of meds leads to weight gain and difficulty losing weight. For some, it also stimulates their appetite and that combined with social drinking makes it even harder to remain slim. Others spent most of their youth playing high level sports or doing competitive dance. If they don’t continue when they get to college, their bodies have a hard time adjusting to the reduced activity level.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Smoking alone was huge prior to the last decade or two.

Ugly blackened lungs, cancer, heart disease -- but yeah, it's an effective appetite suppressant for many, so yay? Not so much.

You are generalizing way too much.

[Anonymous]

I see so many overweight kids, too! That used to be rare. I honk parents are feeding their kids prepared and restaurant food because of insane sports commitments and two-parent working families. There is also a huge body positive movement that celebrates all bodies. That sounds like a great thing but I think it has gone a bit awry as the health piece has faded.

[Anonymous]

OP, your "question" reeks of misogyny. You don't ask the same about young men, even though there are similarities. Go troll elsewhere.

[Anonymous]

The whole world is fatter now.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Many young women take antidepressants, ADHD meds, birth control pills, etc. and often the combo of meds leads to weight gain and difficulty losing weight. For some, it also stimulates their appetite and that combined with social drinking makes it even harder to remain slim. Others spent most of their youth playing high level sports or doing competitive dance. If they don’t continue when they get to college, their bodies have a hard time adjusting to the reduced activity level.

antidepressants, ADHD meds, birth control pills, etc...

Those things did not exist in previous decades?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It’s the way they are eating. Also, the lack of social stigma- it seems to me being chubby is quite socially acceptable at that age (was much less when I was their age- I’m 40). In some ways this is good, but in others ways not so much. Generally weight is only go going to increase from there so if one is already chubby at 20 think how they will be at 40

Well everyone in this day and age receive a participation trophy simply for everything.

[Anonymous]

I think with some its genetic. My child is a bit heavier and he is in a sport 4-5 days a week (heavy movement) and he rarely eats sweets or processed food.

For me, I was very thin till a few years ago when medical issues hit. I've gained tons of weight from the medications.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Many young women take antidepressants, ADHD meds, birth control pills, etc. and often the combo of meds leads to weight gain and difficulty losing weight. For some, it also stimulates their appetite and that combined with social drinking makes it even harder to remain slim. Others spent most of their youth playing high level sports or doing competitive dance. If they don’t continue when they get to college, their bodies have a hard time adjusting to the reduced activity level.

What percentage of high school age girls play competitive sports at that level? Not that many.

It’s the food. Huge sugary Starbucks drinks. Chipotle and pizza for lunch. And lack of smoking.