BS: UK women are 'fattest in Europe'

Subject: BS: UK women are 'fattest in Europe'
From: Bonzo3legs
Date: 26 Nov 11 - 12:26 PM

One of today's press statements - and how true!!!

Subject: RE: BS: UK women are 'fattest in Europe'
From: greg stephens
Date: 26 Nov 11 - 12:46 PM

You should see my mother-in-law, I'm not saying she's fat but.....oh well maybe not in 2011

Subject: RE: BS: UK women are 'fattest in Europe'
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 26 Nov 11 - 01:13 PM

I think Bonzo is referring to this
Aplogies to non UK peeps who MAY not be able to read this as it's on the BBC website.

Subject: RE: BS: UK women are 'fattest in Europe'
From: Megan L
Date: 26 Nov 11 - 02:17 PM

And the point is? Have you looked at most of the men on the street walking heart attacks

Subject: RE: BS: UK women are 'fattest in Europe'
From: Maryrrf
Date: 26 Nov 11 - 02:37 PM

Funny that when I clicked on this the ad that came up was for Domino's Pizza.

Subject: RE: BS: UK women are 'fattest in Europe'
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 26 Nov 11 - 03:41 PM

Now this is what you call chunky. Sadly he's no longer with us.

Subject: RE: BS: UK women are 'fattest in Europe'
From: Ed T
Date: 26 Nov 11 - 03:52 PM

Is this claim made for all UK women, or a specific group (for example, area or age)? Can you attach the news article you refer to?

Subject: RE: BS: UK women are 'fattest in Europe'
From: Q (Frank Staplin)
Date: 26 Nov 11 - 03:55 PM

The BBC article suggests Scots are even fatter.

(Next time I go to MacDonald's I'll keep score on people coming in the door- Alberta, Canada. Myself excluded that way)

John MacK., no problem reading it here. We get the BBCnews channel 24/7 on cable here.

Subject: RE: BS: UK women are 'fattest in Europe'
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 26 Nov 11 - 03:57 PM

Good. It may just be the programmes you can't get, direct from UK online.

Subject: RE: BS: UK women are 'fattest in Europe'
From: gnu
Date: 26 Nov 11 - 04:01 PM

So, life is better in the UK... lots to eat? Don't sound too bad to me.

Subject: RE: BS: UK women are 'fattest in Europe'
From: autolycus
Date: 26 Nov 11 - 04:36 PM

A doctor writes:

"I begin my 'fat' talk once again. It seems that I am
doing this ever more frequently and probably I am. In
this little sermon on obesity, I stress the many health
risks inherent in carrying around excess poundage:
coronary risk factors, gallstones, diabetes, colonic
adenomas,"


That sounds bad to me.

And the growing ill-health adds to the strains on the national Heal;th Service, never mind the economy.

Subject: RE: BS: UK women are 'fattest in Europe'
From: autolycus
Date: 26 Nov 11 - 04:41 PM

Here's one solution, by a reader of the Daily Telegraph online

For the solution to the fat dilemma look no further than your local (now probably closed) pub. If you approach the bar visibly drunk the bartender is obliged to deny you service based on your state. If this could be replicated in every supermarket, burger, pizza and kebab shop across the country then no more obesity issue...picture it..."sorry madam, you've clearly had enough".

Subject: RE: BS: UK women are 'fattest in Europe'
From: GUEST,Bluesman
Date: 26 Nov 11 - 06:03 PM

The best about it, some of these sweat boxes actually think they are attractive. All we hear is " they are fun people" big jolly and cheery" "men like something to hold onto " crap.

They sway, stink and are disgusting. The national health service should make it compulsory to stick their fat asses into a bacon slicer.

Oh, another common one is "too fat to work, problem with their glands." So the taxpayer gets the privilege of keeping them.

Subject: RE: BS: UK women are 'fattest in Europe'
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 26 Nov 11 - 06:19 PM

Well at least they don't have your problem, Bluesman. Too bigotted to be tolerated - your opinions really raise a stench.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: UK women are 'fattest in Europe'
From: Q (Frank Staplin)
Date: 26 Nov 11 - 06:21 PM

There are a few that genuinely have a gland, etc., problem that causes them to retain fat.
Perhaps they could carry a little card from the health service.

Shaw Cable (western Canada) is carrying an adv. for Mercedes cars. It was introduced by a slim, trim, attractive dark-skinned woman. Then it turned to the brides-to-be, with their engagement rings (I guess the type that marry a good income) and they were all very 'buxom', light-skinned or blonde. It showed these women sitting in Merc. sports cars at the close.

In a few years they couldn't fit in anything but a heavy duty truck.

Subject: RE: BS: UK women are 'fattest in Europe'
From: gnu
Date: 26 Nov 11 - 06:50 PM

Ahhh... let's not lose sight of the fact that most cases of obesity are caused by mental health issues... no matter what those issues might be (disfunctional families for one). There but for the grace of God go I???? Have a bit of compassion eh? That "Fatty fatty 2 X 4..." shit shouldn't be allowed on the kid's playground and DEFINITELY shouldn't touted here or in the health care system. Shameful!

Subject: RE: BS: UK women are 'fattest in Europe'
From: GUEST,Bluesman
Date: 26 Nov 11 - 07:10 PM

Q, One in several hundred thousand suffer from gland problems, they rest are just digging their graves with their teeth.

It simply isn't true that cases of obesity are linked to window lickers.

Subject: RE: BS: UK women are 'fattest in Europe'
From: Jean(eanjay)
Date: 26 Nov 11 - 07:21 PM

Well, one day it is people who are too slim that get criticised and the next it is people who are overweight. We need photos of all of these perfect people so that the rest of us know what to aim for.

Subject: RE: BS: UK women are 'fattest in Europe'
From: GUEST,Bluesman
Date: 26 Nov 11 - 07:26 PM

We are what we eat.

Subject: RE: BS: UK women are 'fattest in Europe'
From: Bobert
Date: 26 Nov 11 - 07:48 PM

Yes, we are what we eat... Unfortunately, there isn't enough "healthy" food to go around so we stuff poor people with the junk...

Bob

Subject: RE: BS: UK women are 'fattest in Europe'
From: GUEST,.gargoyle
Date: 26 Nov 11 - 08:28 PM

It has been my blessed adventure - to travel the world over through out my entire life.



The French are fit - because they 1,000 steps a day.

The Dutch are fit - because you can stretch a lot of poundage over a six-foot-frame.
The Germans are fit - (ever been to an under 40 FKK beach)
The Asians are fit - because "Planting Rice is Never Fun."

Surely, someone has a "blog" of the "UK hog."



Sincerely,

Gargoyle



The pity - awful, terrible, pity, goes out to the children who are almost always trapped, forever, as piggys.

Subject: RE: BS: UK women are 'fattest in Europe'
From: Richard Bridge
Date: 26 Nov 11 - 08:36 PM

From a survival point of view the most important thing is genes. If your parents survived into old age, it is probable that you will.

My own preference is for slim women.   Regrettably theirs is often not for short fat little old men!


Nonetheless some women still tell me that I am an attractive man. THey are of course mad.

But if you go the "hardwired" route, selection may tell you that a fat woman is well placed to survive a famine and deliver a child - and that a fat man may be a good provider for a child.

Subject: RE: BS: UK women are 'fattest in Europe'
From: gnu
Date: 26 Nov 11 - 08:59 PM

Fat is only affluence or ignorance or both... OR a mental health problem, WHATEVER that might be. I have relatives that are extremely obese but I can trace it back to problems they had when they were youngsters dealing with family and life "issues", which I consider a me(a)ntal heath issue... when you are young and don't know how to deal with a "situation" you may compensate with overeating. Maybe calling it a mental health issue is tooo strong a terminology but it is what it is.

Subject: RE: BS: UK women are 'fattest in Europe'
From: bobad
Date: 26 Nov 11 - 09:28 PM

The top seven in this LIST of the world's fattest countries are Pacific Island countries, the US is 9th, the UK is 28th and Canada is 35th.

Subject: RE: BS: UK women are 'fattest in Europe'
From: gnu
Date: 26 Nov 11 - 09:59 PM

Canucks are 35th... must be all the fuckin snow.

Subject: RE: BS: UK women are 'fattest in Europe'
From: GUEST,punkfolkrocker
Date: 27 Nov 11 - 12:08 AM

one pause for thought..

too many of the mudcat middle class intelligentsia pundits are too far removed / above the mere simple prole folks they thrive to comment upon..

I actually live in a shitehole culturally deprived provincial town amongst the arse end of UK humanity.. and these poor lumps really are too thick and over sensitively defensive to even understand how fat and pathologically unhealthy they have become..

fat idiot drunkard smokers who sincerely believe their women are sexy 'BBW'..

and they still have the power to vote as and when the tabloid newspapers determine..

Subject: RE: BS: UK women are 'fattest in Europe'
From: GUEST,punkfokrocker
Date: 27 Nov 11 - 12:19 AM

hi Bonzo.. thinking about it..???

we may be at the divided extreme ends of UK political opinion..

and as much as I dislike your various internet personas..

..it's becoming uncomfortably disconcerting how much we are in alignment
on certain single issues..

must be the old world grammar school education in us..

Subject: RE: BS: UK women are 'fattest in Europe'
From: GUEST,Bluesman
Date: 27 Nov 11 - 01:25 AM

Always the same answers to every ill. "Poor people" "Deprived backgrounds" " Mentally unwell" " slum housing" crap.

This is the 21st century. The majority of these lard asses living in council owned housing estates do so by choice. They don't want a job, they all seem to want a house five doors away from their mothers. They spend their days lying up on the sofa like a beached whale watching horse racing on television or playing bingo on line. The coffee table is equipped with various remote controls, a six pack of beer, an over flowing ashtray and a couple of packets of contraband cigarettes bought for two quid a go.

When they reach 50, they block up the health service, with heart conditions, bulging varicose veins , piles that resemble a bunch of grapes and develop six asses and cream off every benefit they can by threatening their G.P's and Social Services with their local MP or the newspapers.

They often resort to using one of their national battle cries "I'm disabled" I'm a single mother" "My dodgy uncle used to bounce me on his knee late at night" "I never tasted steak until I was 20".

We keep them, we all pay that little extra on our credit cards to cover the massive bills they run up with online gambling. You can be assured their benefit cheque beats the ass off your monthly salary.

Lazy people eat crap food. They would go to the chip before they would peel a potato, eat crisps on the sofa before they would move their fat ass into a kitchen. I hold no sympathy for them, thankfully they don't last long.

Subject: RE: BS: UK women are 'fattest in Europe'
From: GUEST,punkfolkrocker
Date: 27 Nov 11 - 02:05 AM

hey blues.. I'm a lefty.. and I wont disagree with you on this..


sounds like some of my family.....

Subject: RE: BS: UK women are 'fattest in Europe'
From: Manitas_at_home
Date: 27 Nov 11 - 03:43 AM

6 months ago I was obese. I'm educated so you'd think I'd know better but I couldn't translate that into action. Physical education at my school was chasing a ball of one kind or another. If you weren't on the team you were left to your own devices. I'm fond of dance but it wasn't enough. It was only when I found an activity I could enjoy(tai chi) that I got the motivation to do more. I started cycling to work, I started the C25K running program and I signed up to myfitnesspal and started reducing what I ate. It's not hard now but it was hard. I've now lost nearly 3 stone and can run around 10 miles. Oh, and I can stiil eat substantial meals.
Most other people can do what I did but need to have the motivation and information. Here's what to do: don't blame your glands unless your doctor does, start exercising by taking a half hour walk, start logging your calories and see what you can cut down on (eg latte, sugary drinks) without going hungry. Don't expect drastic results, it will take a long time.
Really, I'm non-athletic, lazy and weak-willed but if I can do it almost anyone can.

Subject: RE: BS: UK women are 'fattest in Europe'
From: Roger the Skiffler
Date: 27 Nov 11 - 03:44 AM

...."I'm not saying she's fat but she's got her own postcaode (zipcode)"

RtS

Subject: RE: BS: UK women are 'fattest in Europe'
From: GUEST,Eliza
Date: 27 Nov 11 - 04:52 AM

Richard, surely you aren't a 'short, fat, little old man'?!! That's not how I picture you!!
Manitas, I really applaud your successful efforts to lose weight. It must have taken loads of willpower, I salute you!
During and just after WW2, we were all slim and wiry. Our diet was nigh on perfect, no sweets, not much fat, plenty of vegetables; and we walked (or ran) everywhere, no cars. Also, no labour-saving appliances, we washed our clothes by hand and cleaned the carpets with a carpet sweeper, hauled coal in buckets and scrubbed floors on our knees. We children spent all day and all evening out of doors, climbing trees, running about, never still. But my life now I'm old is very sedentary. I drive everywhere (even to the local shop) sit watching TV or knitting. And eat! It's just too easy to toddle to the kitchen and get something to eat. I'm quite plump now, and I know it isn't a good idea. But the women (and men) in poorer areas of UK probably eat takeaway food a lot and don't cook much in the way of vegetables. Also, a 'good' diet can be expensive. A Macdonalds is much cheaper than a 'meat-and-two-veg' dinner. Poor Jamie Oliver is trying to help, but not everyone has his enthusiasm for cooking.

Subject: RE: BS: UK women are 'fattest in Europe'
From: autolycus
Date: 27 Nov 11 - 05:21 AM

Manitas

I'm interested in the moment of change for you.

You said, "It was only when I found an activity I could enjoy(tai chi)". Can you identify the moment of change from "I couldn't translate that into action"?

I suppose there was a moment when you decided to do something about your situation, but why? [Maybe the crucial bit was somewhat unconscious].

Subject: RE: BS: UK women are 'fattest in Europe'
From: Musket
Date: 27 Nov 11 - 05:23 AM

Ok, a few things here;

It is a subjective survey and whilst excess weight is a factor in terms of coronary heart disease and allowing cancers to spread (metastastic) the main issue here is the slippery slope of lack of exercise leading to other conditions.

A couple of facts first.

1. There were no fat people (It's glandular!) released from Belson et al.

2. The more you look after yourself, the better your general health, regardless of how long that life lasts.

3. You may find comfort in looking at how old your parents and Grandparents lasted, but compare your diet and lifestyle over the years before getting too complacent. Most genes arguments are valid in terms of susceptibility to certain conditions. The argument for comparing general life expectancy has been shown to be a false flag. (Various epidemiology articles published in BMJ over the years.)

Having said all that, I am convinced that people with a bit more weight than others, (say, a BMI of 25 - 30 ish) are more content with themselves than either thinner or fatter people. I'm not saying it fits all, and I have no scientific evidence for it, but most people you can think of who always laugh at jokes, always see the bright side, generally optimistic etc, I reckon most of them have a spare tyre. (I'm generally fit and still indulge in some sports, but the six pack is turning into a keg...)

Now, as to fattest women in Europe? Perhaps our friends across the pond should note that this is about Europe, not the world.... I've been to Atlanta.....

Subject: RE: BS: UK women are 'fattest in Europe'
From: GUEST,Bluesman
Date: 27 Nov 11 - 05:28 AM

"Richard, surely you aren't a 'short, fat, little old man'?!! That's not how I picture you!! " yes Eliza, his first truthful post.

Loved the line "
Nonetheless some women still tell me that I am an attractive man."

As the ad says "they should have gone to Specsavers... Bluebeard"

Subject: RE: BS: UK women are 'fattest in Europe'
From: autolycus
Date: 27 Nov 11 - 05:32 AM

Eliza

I was going to say something about you saying it not being 'a good idea' and then remembered how I don't struggle with all of my own dietary necessities.

However one thought.

Many of us eat often when we are not hungry at all but thirsty.So a hyper-simple move is, whenever you feel like snacking [unless it's fruit or veg] to drink - not tea or coffee or, still less, a soft drink - but plain tap water.

When I do now, not only do I enjoy the taste but I also think of myself as taking some medicine.

I disliked water when I was a teenager. Now it is the opposite. And I like noticing the experience of feeling the water getting to some of my system.

Incidentally, drinking water is, I've read, the quickest way to get oxygen to the brain.


"If you keep on doing what you've always done, you'll keep on getting what you've always got." Source unknown but would be welcome.

Subject: RE: BS: UK women are 'fattest in Europe'
From: Megan L
Date: 27 Nov 11 - 05:46 AM

What I am reading from some people here is that fat people are morally socially and mentaly degenerate therefopre less than human. I seem to remember that the next step along that road goes they should be locked up (for thier own good and to stop them contaminating the pure population) after that the next steps is such a ver small one. First dehumanise then destroy. What a lovely group of people you must think you are.

Subject: RE: BS: UK women are 'fattest in Europe'
From: autolycus
Date: 27 Nov 11 - 06:57 AM

"What I am reading from some people here is that fat people are morally socially and mentaly degenerate therefopre less than human."

I don't read posts like that, and fear it's a leaping overreaction. Haven't seen anyone refer to degeneracy. I have been, like others, just talking about fat as a health matter.

See the following, from the World health Organisation [when I click on Make a link, it refuses by putting in a yellow star]

http://www.who.int/dietphysicalactivity/publications/facts/obesity/en/

Subject: RE: BS: UK women are 'fattest in Europe'
From: Richard Bridge
Date: 27 Nov 11 - 07:08 AM

You are not I think seeing all the posts on this thread, autolycus.

I've done the thin and fit thing three times. Down to under ten stone each time, running daily, stayed down for about 3 years each time.

Not much point again now.

Subject: RE: BS: UK women are 'fattest in Europe'
From: melodeonboy
Date: 27 Nov 11 - 07:27 AM

"The top seven in this LIST of the world's fattest countries are Pacific Island countries, the US is 9th, the UK is 28th and Canada is 35th."

I believe many of those in the Pacific Island countries may be large due to their genes, not through actually being overweight or overeating. Many years ago I had a Tongan girlfriend. She was certainly large, but there was barely an inch of fat on her!

As for British women (or British men for that matter!) being overweight, if you live the American way of life, you might well expect to end up overweight. I'm not trying to be anti-American - but I am aware that the way of life and eating habits of many of them don't make for good health, and that many British people seem to find the American diet and way of life rather appealing.

Yours,

A slightly overweight Melodeonboy! :)

Subject: RE: BS: UK women are 'fattest in Europe'
From: Jean(eanjay)
Date: 27 Nov 11 - 07:32 AM

It is not helpful to state that people should stop being given excuses for being overweight and take more responsibility for their lifestyles, exercise more and eat more healthily. Just telling people to exercise more and eat healthily is not enough. People need to be given advice on how to eat a healthier, balanced diet and they need SUPPORT to do this. There seems to be more advice around than there used to be but I am not sure about the support.

Subject: RE: BS: UK women are 'fattest in Europe'
From: JohnInKansas
Date: 27 Nov 11 - 07:32 AM

The BBC "explanation" seems to me to be sort of a gratuitous cheap shot at the British:

The figures suggested that the proportion of women who are obese or overweight falls as the educational level rises.

They didn't offer and explanation of how the data suggested that conclusion... Is the rest of Europe better educated?

John

Subject: RE: BS: UK women are 'fattest in Europe'
From: autolycus
Date: 27 Nov 11 - 08:25 AM

"People need to be given advice on how to eat a healthier, balanced diet"

I wish that were part of the story but in the first place there's a mountain of such advice all over the place; and in the second place, very many people resent being given advice, and want to be left alone. So, for them the mountain, not to mention the innumerable services freely available are useless. We hardly want to force anybody.


Richard

Reading thru again, I don't see anyone referring to degeneracy. I see one ridiculous caricature which amounts to some people are unintelligent and lazy, and there without doubt some connections between mental health [I'd prefer 'psychological] problems and poor diet via compensation [comfort eating].

But no degeneracy. Nor that anyone is less than human.

I do see some familiar over-egging, emotionally-charged language.


John

It simply does not follow that because obesity may rise as educational levels fall, and vice versa, that educational levels are low and thus higher elsewhere.

Subject: RE: BS: UK women are 'fattest in Europe'
From: Manitas_at_home
Date: 27 Nov 11 - 09:25 AM

Autolycus,

It was a gradual thing but I was fed up of being overweight and out of breath. My doctor was telling me off and the news was full of the problems of an overweight nation and in the end I didn't want to be part of the problems.

Megan, I'm not slagging off 'plump' people but I see people who have trouble getting onto the bus who are much younger than me. And I walk past that bus and get a long way before it passes me and that was before I lost weight. And I wondered how so many of us got that way and resolved to do better for myself.

Maybe some people are happy being fat but I'm sure no one is happy being obese with all the problems that brings. And there is no shortage of advice but there is too much pressure to eat bad food. Coke is tasty, McDonalds is tasty, pizza is tasty etc but you don't have to have it every day and you don't have to have so much of it.

As I sit here my family are fighting over the last of the Coke. There's lots more bottles in the next room but neither can be bothered to just go and get it. A lesson here?

Subject: RE: BS: UK women are 'fattest in Europe'
From: Big Al Whittle
Date: 27 Nov 11 - 09:41 AM

One of the biggest surprises old age has had for me is how little medical science knows about anything.

My weight problem puzzled me most of my life. Even as akid I could never run like other kids. I was quite fit - I used to cycle ten miles a day to school.

As I got older though and became more sedentary, the weight problems grew worse. Three or four times I pursued diets that helped me to shed more than four stones. Not much fun in eating, on a thousand calories a day. I've spent years at a time doing that.

It was only when I developed a heart condition in my mid fifties that they put some radioactive stuff in my blood, x rayed me, and discovered that I had an artery that was abnormally sited. It should have gone into an auricle, but it went into a ventricle. A condition that is usually discovered post mortem. If you don't get the right amount of oxygenated blood to your heart. You don't have the same access to energy.

I'm pretty sure I inherited this from my Mother, I think she had the same thing but it was misdiagnosed as rheumatic fever.


I bet there are a lot of very similar medical conditions that drain the energy of people and stop them from using up a normal amount of calories in a day. And I think these eventually will be proved to be at the root of weight problems.

that was at the root of my problem and it has given me an insight into my own life, and explained so many things I couldn't account for. Like for instance really fat kids could run a race. I couldn't, and PE teachers used to put it down to laziness - but every race i ever entered I was last in.

the human body is very mysterious and none of us are lazy villains. The only thing that holds us back is our ignorance.

Subject: RE: BS: UK women are 'fattest in Europe'
From: bobad
Date: 27 Nov 11 - 09:43 AM

Exercise, while being beneficial for many other reasons, is not very effective for weight loss. The single most beneficial activity for losing weight is calorie reduction....period!

Subject: RE: BS: UK women are 'fattest in Europe'
From: Bonzo3legs
Date: 27 Nov 11 - 09:55 AM

"must be the old world grammar school education in us"

Could well be, as my old German Master used to say!

Subject: RE: BS: UK women are 'fattest in Europe'
From: Manitas_at_home
Date: 27 Nov 11 - 09:57 AM

I tried just diet years ago. It didn't work. This time it was diet and exercise.You can eat the same amount as long as you exercise enough which helps if you have trouble reducing portion sizes. Not calorie reduction but NET calorie reduction.

Subject: RE: BS: UK women are 'fattest in Europe'
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 27 Nov 11 - 10:32 AM

Bluesman's characterization of the undeserving poor is a toxic stereotype that has contributed to the problem many who live in subsidized housing face. Anyone is bound to have weight problems if they haven't been taught about healthy eating and if it is difficult or impossible to find healthy food choices in their neighborhood. Many of these people live in "food deserts" because many of the larger chain grocery stores that provide these foods elsewhere are reluctant to set up shop in these marginalized neighborhoods.

"Food deserts are areas that lack access to affordable fruits, vegetables, whole grains, low-fat milk, and other foods that make up the full range of a healthy diet."

http://www.cdc.gov/features/fooddeserts/

How can food deserts affect your health?
Many scientific studies have suggested that food deserts may negatively affect health outcomes, but more research is needed to determine how access influences the types of foods consumers purchase and eat. Some researchers believe a link exists between access to affordable nutritious foods and the intake of those foods. However, other studies have shown that even after healthier food options are more widely available in food deserts, many consumers continue to make unhealthy choices based on personal preferences.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: UK women are 'fattest in Europe'
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 27 Nov 11 - 11:47 AM

We are what we eat.

In that case it might be best not eat whatever it is GUEST,Bluesman eats...