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From my own observations on visits to America. You folks are morbidly obese.......... we're merely obese. But we're catching up with ya!.........
I'm an American living in Europe, and I agree with Dave. They're obese.. we're obese x 2. Sorry, Dave -- not picking on you, but I have to say when I go to England I feel somewhat "at home" because the people there are larger than the continentals. Still not quite as large as Americans, but you're ahead of the French and Dutch .. that's for sure.
On our visits to Florida 15 years ago.. I had never seen food on plates so big... I ordered French toast, and only french toast.. it came with sugar on top.. three slice of bacon , two eggs and sausage...but seriously it makes you wonder what exactly is put into all that fast food junk... Everything over there is mega size in food... saw one man tuck into a pile of pancakes covered in syrup for breakfast, unheard of here..although Scotland is known for its sweet tooth in food so we cant really talk.
I don't know why or when restaurant portions became so excessive. But pancakes are a traditional breakfast, so a stack of pancakes with syrup is nothing unusual. It's a traditional breakfast that's very unhealthy, and originated as poverty food--a very cheap way to fill kids' bellies. Adults eat it because it's a bit of nostalgia; it reminds them of their childhood, and is considered an all-American breakfast, for better or for worse.
Last edited by Ruth4Truth; 06-15-2016 at 06:26 AM..
Yes. Obesity is rare on the West Coast and the mountain West (northern NM, Colorado, perhaps Idaho/Montana). When people talk about the obesity epidemic in the US, I always wonder what they're talking about, and end up assuming they're referring to the Mid-West and South.
On another note, when I was in Europe (including Russia) in the 80's, the Germans and the Russians were the ones with a high rate of obesity, compared to the US. In fact, overweight was considered something good in women, and people often exhorted me to "eat, eat! You're too thin!" "Pleasingly plump" was preferred for women (I know that's changed now), but what was most noticeable to me was the high percentage of retirees and late-middle-aged people who were very overweight. Don't the women there take hormone replacement after midlife? They obviously don't in Russia, but why wouldn't they in Western Europe, where HRT is affordable, and probably covered by health insurance?
I'm an American living in Europe, and I agree with Dave. They're obese.. we're obese x 2. Sorry, Dave -- not picking on you, but I have to say when I go to England I feel somewhat "at home" because the people there are larger than the continentals. Still not quite as large as Americans, but you're ahead of the French and Dutch .. that's for sure.
Cigarettes are heavily taxed in Europe and as in America are banned in Bars, Restaurants and Public Places. In terms of drinking rates, Eastern Europe has the highest rates, as well as some Northern European Countries.
The cigarettes were certainly not banned in Central Europe which we visited last year. This was part of the trip we didn't quite enjoy.
As to obesity - not every American is obese, this is a generalization. I do think that the general lifestyle in Europe is more conductive to staying thinner since you have to walk so much more in the cities. In the US, you sit in the car, then sit at work, then sit in the car, so unless you force yourself to exercise daily, you're going to start accumulating some fat, especially in winter. Europeans do a lot of walking. But I also saw many middle aged people with huge bellies, what we call "beer belly" in States.
One of the most beautiful women I've ever seen was from Romania. Very 'healthy' lol.
Americans are just disgusting fat. If they socialize the healthcare system, I wouldn't have an issue with imposing an additional tax on those with a higher body fat percentage as the correlation between that and costly chronic health issues such as diabetes, CHD, etc is pretty clear.
It's just not healthy for the body to carry around so much extra fat mass. It can be overcome, but people need to work to overcome it.
The cigarettes were certainly not banned in Central Europe which we visited last year. This was part of the trip we didn't quite enjoy.
I think most Western Countries have cigarette bans, although Eastern Europe is different.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Ummagumma
As to obesity - not every American is obese, this is a generalization. I do think that the general lifestyle in Europe is more conductive to staying thinner since you have to walk so much more in the cities. In the US, you sit in the car, then sit at work, then sit in the car, so unless you force yourself to exercise daily, you're going to start accumulating some fat, especially in winter. Europeans do a lot of walking. But I also saw many middle aged people with huge bellies, what we call "beer belly" in States.
I don't think anyone would suggest Americans are all fat or obese, indeed many Americans work out or at the gym and take a pride in their appearance. As in all countries it is a minority who are obese and I think socioeconomic factors including poverty and poor educatrion are factors, whilst when you think of successful Americans you don't usually picture obese people.
I think most Western Countries have cigarette bans, although Eastern Europe is different.
I don't think anyone would suggest Americans are all fat or obese, indeed many Americans work out or at the gym and take a pride in their appearance. As in all countries it is a minority who are obese and I think socioeconomic factors including poverty and poor educatrion are factors, whilst when you think of successful Americans you don't usually picture obese people.
The biggest factor in American obesity is their love for fast food. Fewer and fewer people cook a good meal at home most days of the week. Americans are in love with potato chips, greasy 5 minute burgers, donuts and anything else they can pick up at a drive through or fast food place just so they don't have to cook a balanced nutritious meal. And I don't care to hear the song and dance about having to work long hours. Make the time to grocery shop and prepare meals that last 2-3 days if you have to and skip that 2 pound burrito at lunch time. Also skip the high calorie drinks all day long. People have no idea or refuse to acknowledge that they are drinking a good percentage of their calories rather than eating them.
I've been on a cruise ship...I've experienced a warning beep when 7 people were on an elevator..I was 190 and the guy next to me maybe 180...a family gets on, all morbidly obese..and a warning beep starts going off. If that isn't a red flag to you it should be.
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