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holy crap europe vs uk
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By (user no longer on site) OP
over a year ago
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so after being in Ireland for the weekend and now Paris for the week ive really noticed just how much thinner on average the Europeans are compared to the uk.
I didn't really notice it so much in Italy.
what do you think the cause is? |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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"so after being in Ireland for the weekend and now Paris for the week ive really noticed just how much thinner on average the Europeans are compared to the uk.
I didn't really notice it so much in Italy.
what do you think the cause is?"
Sausage and mash... Fish and chips... Sunday roast |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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People in Ireland are getting up at 6am every day to train to do sports they dont get paid for. A welsh international rugby player went to train with a small Irish team, they dont even have a stadium. About 30 people turned out to watch them, He couldn't believe the hours they put in or how fit they were.
Ireland is going through a phase, they used to be a lot fatter, they are pretty healthy now, and I reckon in about 10 years they will all be ripped. Cause thats just how their lifestyle is going. |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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I've noticed this on my travels as well. I think it's two things, primarily. First, I think eating is more of an "experience" in the rest of Europe. Seems the UK is more like America in that you eat to eat, but eating is usually quick. It's then onto drinking - which is just more liquid calories.
Secondly, portion sizes in the UK are outrageous! I always hear people say portion sizes in the U.S. are large, but most people in the U.S. don't finish their food - they get it to go. When I first moved here I made the mistake of askng for my leftovers to go, and I mostly got confused looks. So, you have large portion sizes that you either eat or toss, and usually they are eaten. In my experience, portion sizes in the rest of Europe are smaller.
That's my opinion, anyway. |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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I'd say it's culture, Europeans seem to moderate everything from alcohol to food. I've never been to a European city where there are as many takeaway shops as we have.
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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"It is the culture, europe dont have a fast food lane.
Yes, way less junk food and less obsession with low fat (and therefore higher carb) foods."
That is right and lots of protein too, fish is popular. |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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I think a lot is to do with the weather, from sept to march we have months and months of cold, dark weather, which makes people exercise less and eat more. Its August now, lashing rain in Ireland and the UK, I mean if i was in the south of France id prob just of had a salad and a swim at the beach and a cycle on my bike.
I know the weather cannot be blamed for it all, but climate does play a part in my opinion. |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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"I think a lot is to do with the weather, from sept to march we have months and months of cold, dark weather, which makes people exercise less and eat more. Its August now, lashing rain in Ireland and the UK, I mean if i was in the south of France id prob just of had a salad and a swim at the beach and a cycle on my bike.
I know the weather cannot be blamed for it all, but climate does play a part in my opinion. "
I get what you're saying, but if that were the case, places like Norway would suffer too. |
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By (user no longer on site) OP
over a year ago
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"I think a lot is to do with the weather, from sept to march we have months and months of cold, dark weather, which makes people exercise less and eat more. Its August now, lashing rain in Ireland and the UK, I mean if i was in the south of France id prob just of had a salad and a swim at the beach and a cycle on my bike.
I know the weather cannot be blamed for it all, but climate does play a part in my opinion.
I get what you're saying, but if that were the case, places like Norway would suffer too."
cold in Norway would help burn calories |
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"I'd say it's culture, Europeans seem to moderate everything from alcohol to food. I've never been to a European city where there are as many takeaway shops as we have.
"
Very much the case, we appear to have so many in this country |
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I live in Spain part of the year where the norm is that the biggest meal of the day is eaten around 3/4pm. Siesta follows (on the beach in summer!) and then a snack at 9/10pm. There is less obesity in the village where there's no fast food takeaways than in town where US chains have invaded the high street and kids feast on burgers and fries. Is there a correlation? Maybe or maybe not. |
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"I'd say it's culture, Europeans seem to moderate everything from alcohol to food. I've never been to a European city where there are as many takeaway shops as we have.
"
Culture. The average dress size is 16 in the UK so the 14's think they are slim 
Brits and Americans are more concerned with preaching 'fat acceptance' or thyroid problems than they are living a healthy lifestyle. |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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"I'd say it's culture, Europeans seem to moderate everything from alcohol to food. I've never been to a European city where there are as many takeaway shops as we have.
Culture. The average dress size is 16 in the UK so the 14's think they are slim
Brits and Americans are more concerned with preaching 'fat acceptance' or thyroid problems than they are living a healthy lifestyle. "
I'd recommend having a little read up about the whole body confidence movement, and maybe how dress sizes don't really have too much of a bearing on body fat.
You might even find some statistics, I know you love those  |
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"I'd say it's culture, Europeans seem to moderate everything from alcohol to food. I've never been to a European city where there are as many takeaway shops as we have.
Culture. The average dress size is 16 in the UK so the 14's think they are slim
Brits and Americans are more concerned with preaching 'fat acceptance' or thyroid problems than they are living a healthy lifestyle.
I'd recommend having a little read up about the whole body confidence movement, and maybe how dress sizes don't really have too much of a bearing on body fat.
You might even find some statistics, I know you love those "
Statistics got my attention, but i googled it and couldn't see exactly what you are referring to. Which site do you recommend?
By the way, I'm not saying that a person with an endomorph body type can't be healthy or look good. UFC fighter Mark Hunt looks good, porn star London Keyes is good too. But most 16+'s are mesomorphs who have consumed a lot more calories than needed. |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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"British clothes shops put size 10 on what are obviously size 16 dresses so their customers feel really pleased with themselves."
Are you saying that as a man who buys a lot of women's clothing?
I can assure you, it's the other way around. H&M recently came under scrutiny due to their sizings coming up very small. |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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To most folk I know, eating is just a necessity to function, not something to enjoy in the company of others over a period of time whilst relaxing in their company and communicating with each other in a family or friend environment.
It seems to be something that must be rushed for many. This is just one of many not good things I reckon can contribute to our nation's unhealthiness. The faster you eat, the less time your body has to register the food you are nomming and release the chemicals that let you know you are filling up.
Also, as mentioned by many previously, the average diet is basically crap! Alas, I also partake of much of this crapness. But I do a shed load of physical work as well as run around a lot for fun. And stress lots. I'm sure that counts for a few calories. But I digress...  Where was I?.. oh yeah, crap diet! So, many of us do not take the time to cook with natural ingredients and spend a lot of the time eating and ingesting e-numbers and all manner of artificial preservative doodahs and flavour enhancer thingummies instead of spending not a lot more time than it takes unpacking a ready meal and zapping it to prep and cook a simple tasty meal from a few basic ingredients. Which is also a satisfying endeavour when you get to taste the results for yourself too. I should really do that more myself. Great at doing the "do as I say, not as I do" thing  |
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"I live in Spain part of the year where the norm is that the biggest meal of the day is eaten around 3/4pm. Siesta follows (on the beach in summer!) and then a snack at 9/10pm. There is less obesity in the village where there's no fast food takeaways than in town where US chains have invaded the high street and kids feast on burgers and fries. Is there a correlation? Maybe or maybe not. "
Probably, but the economists wouldn't like it. |
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By *xelciscoMan
over a year ago
Reading/bracknell |
"so after being in Ireland for the weekend and now Paris for the week ive really noticed just how much thinner on average the Europeans are compared to the uk.
I didn't really notice it so much in Italy.
what do you think the cause is?"
Being continental, I feel obliged to contribute..
Your observations are correct but it isn't holding true as much as it used to be 10y ago. Obesity in western Europe is catching up with the UK at an alarming rate. On the continent the main factors are, the gradual desintegration of the historical family unit with set times and habits for diners; the correlating rise in fast food presence (all sorts and not just McDo, but look at the sales figures for the latter in france), sedentarity is also creeping in; and to top it up, gradual uptake of binging on alcohol which wasn't as common 15y ago. Also Paris is a big ethnic mix; so it is probably a wrong average to judge by. But I can tell you they were generally slimmer 15Y ago for many!
As for Ireland, diet habits have a big play (and NO; chicken is not a lean meat! unless you raised it yourself on your own free range farm feed with stuff they normally eat alone..); and not least alcohol binging too (look at the calories in a glass of wine vs those in a Mars bar).
Yes you will get pockets of slim active healthy people in all places, but all in all, there is work out to do....
If i can weigh in
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