Why do Americans get a bad rap for being over weight and millions of fat Europeans feel justified?

Question

For the last ten years, I heard how fat we are. Like so many Americans, I believed the lie. Over the years, I began to noticed how fat the British, French, and Germans are. It was not just a few but generally every fourth person. In the States, there are millions of health fitness clubs at full capacity. Americans are obsessed with becoming thin. Every year, millions (not thousands) of Americans lose major weight. In some cities like San Diego and Miami folk are bone thin. Nevertheless, obesed Europeans eating greasy sausages feel quite justified pointing their fat fingers our way. I remember seeing an Oprah show where French women were boasting about their ability to stay slim. Now, France is having a pandemic of obesity. When you visit your little fat grannies, try to remember that American grandmothers are at the gym toning up their bodies. It is not good to be too obsessed with the exterior, but we do not poke fun at Brits who are overwhelmingly becoming obese.

Answer 1

Yes you are right european countries are all gaining weight, its just the popularity of fast food, as people are so busy.I think places like Macdonalds are the cause, although you can not ban them, freedom of choice etc.Americans got the blame as you were obese first, you had the fast food before us, but now we have a problem.

Answer 2

Statistically the USA is the most obese nation on earth. Someone has to be and that's the way it is.

The good/bad news is the UK is catching up quickly in the number two position. Perhaps that's yet another aspect of American culture we are unwittingly soaking up.

Interesting point about walking down the beach from John W. Do that in Spain for example and it isn't difficult to spot the Brits for all the wrong reasons :o(

Answer 3

I don't feel the Americans are getting a " Bad Rap" because they were the original " fatties" We haven't been to Europe in several years so we may have missed the transition. It always appeared that the majority of Europeans were slimmer than the Americans. Since the standards of living have been increased, the food consumption may have followed resulting in heavier Europeans.

Answer 4

Everyone is getting fatter regardless of their location.
Many Europeans like to think they are the best and most refined. Exercising is a key to good health, and the American exercise industry is more visible than any other country's. I wish American locations with flat terrain had more bike paths and bike lanes like Holland. What a great way to exercise and keep the environment cleaner -- cycling under your own power!

Answer 5

american culture (aka our fast food restaurants) didn't head overseas until somewhat recently...and the obesity epidemic overseas didn't start until those fast food chains got established over there...anyone see a connection?

it doesn't matter what country you are from, because living somewhere does not make you obese. Anyone who eats american style fast food will get fat, its been proven many times over. Yes, they shouldn't judge us, but we shouldn't ignore the fact that our culture has made us fat and is now hurting the rest of the world too

Answer 6

Do me a favour! I've been to Florida and the people at Disney who come from all over the states are the biggest land based mammals I've seen since I first saw Jurassic Park on wide-screen. You could keep fit just by running around them, mind you it was use up most of your two week vacation, Americans are the most obese nation on the planet, not so much a waistline more of a coastline when it comes to the average Sherman.

Answer 7

actually as far as i know, brittain and germany are getting a bad rep of being fat aswell though. they even made a hilarious show about it named fat men cant hunt.

if you look at statistics though, america is still ahead with its 56% overweight, 23% clinically obeice. europe is gaining though with its increase in welfare since the second world war.

overweight is a problem, and its about time people started dealing with it. i know a lot of fat people will get offended if i say this. but being overweight is not ok. being obeice certainly isnt. im quite astounded that some people seem to think it is ok to not practice any sport. and im sometime horrified, what certain people have done to their bodies.

you only get one you know, treasure it.

Answer 8

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Answer 9

I remember you from a previous Q. You claim to be a Christian & sent me an abusive email. When you're at church on Sunday ask your god to forgive you for asking such a nasty, sour little question.

And for the record, I rather think the size of your fat people far exceeds the size of ours.

Answer 10

Take a stroll along an American beach - then a European beach - and judge for yourself.