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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

So apparently, 80% of Australians are going to be obese by 2025

76 replies

AjasLipstick · 30/04/2018 11:40

Shock I live in Australia by the way. I'm British though. The reasearch was done by the World Health Organisation apparently.

Here's a slightly shitty link to an article

www.sunshinecoastdaily.com.au/news/obesity-can-lead-you-on-a-dangerous-path-to-ill-he/2590837/

That is absolutely worrying isn't it? I feel quite shocked really. When we moved here three years ago, I was nervous as I was convinced it was a very sporty country...full of fit people!

There are, it seems to me, a lot of very big young people though. And I now see more overweight OLDER people than ever. When I was younger, (I am 44) old people were bird-like...tiny and thin...they'd seen wars etc.

Now they're all the baby boomers and a lot of them are very large.

It worries me...my DC are both slim but what if that changes? We do eat well and exercise....but EIGHTY percent!??? It seems so many!

OP posts:
Ozgirl75 · 30/04/2018 13:01

And yes, although I didn’t really get any “you’re too skinny” comments (I did get “you’re tiny” but I am 5ft4 which is mini over here) but basically I put on weight pretty easily and when normally I would think “I need to rein it in a bit” I actually found myself thinking “well I’m still the thinnest at work” so let the extra kilos sneak on.

Original poster
AjasLipstick · 30/04/2018 13:01

No...they've all got broad shoulders too I notice.

OP posts:
Ozgirl75 · 30/04/2018 13:02

They are “well built” - strong looking kind of Amazonian girls whereas at 15/16 most of us at school were thin with legs and arms like sticks.

mummabearfoyrbabybears · 30/04/2018 13:09

It doesn't really shock me. Half my family emigrated out there 40 odd years ago and they are all obese or morbidly obese. Even the children are considered overweight and obese. My auntie says she can't exercise as it's too hot so she drives everywhere with the air con, or stays at home as much as possible with the air con. The subsequent children and grandchildren never do sport and drive everywhere too.

mummabearfoyrbabybears · 30/04/2018 13:10

My family are in Adelaide if that makes much difference.

halfwitpicker · 30/04/2018 13:15

The tall, well built thing will be Northern European genes and plenty of vitamin d.

TaliZorahVasNormandy · 30/04/2018 13:21

According to WHO:

74% of men and 64% of women in UK to be overweight by 2030.

Original poster
AjasLipstick · 30/04/2018 13:29

Mumma that's where I live and there is a massive reliance on cars here. The suburbs are built without footpaths often...it's that extreme. It IS hot but I've never driven a car and walk everywhere.

And I am a pale skinned Brit...so it's completely doable. You just have to plan more.

People just get in the car to go on even the shortest journey. It's very lazy.

OP posts:
Original poster
AjasLipstick · 30/04/2018 13:29

Halfwit is Germany Northern Europe? There's a big history of Germans moving to Adelaide...from way back too. Lots of German surnames here.

OP posts:
WhippetyStourie · 30/04/2018 14:11

I’m in Adelaide too. When I first came here (15 years ago) my impression was that people were either really overweight or super fit and skinny, nothing in between, whereas loads of people at home just were a bit chubby. I notice more and more really overweight people now, especially children. Kids never stop snacking. My kids used to go to a playgroup (9-12) and take an apple or banana for snack time around 10:30. Other kids would have a lunchbox full - sandwiches, yoghurt, raisins, fruit, crackers, biscuits - between breakfast & lunch!!! No wonder the kids are getting bigger .

Sunshinedaze · 30/04/2018 14:27

Personally I have noticed more overweight people in the UK than in OZ. Most people in Sydney look average to me but then again, I’m not hanging out in the poorer areas when I’m over there.

Unfinishedkitchen · 30/04/2018 14:31

I’ve been to Aus (have family there) several times and I’ve noticed that in the big cities, people tend to be a healthy size but in the country towns, the people are quite large on average and I think if everyone around you is large it normalises it. I also think it’s becuse they don’t have a great public transport system so everyone drives. There are also many places without footpaths so you can’t even walk around easily even if you wanted to.

The Australians are also very into eating Australian grown foods so they don’t import much. The impact of this is that there’s less competition and the prices are higher making food shopping very expensive. The last time I was out there a bottle of Australian wine was more expensive there than in the UK!

Original poster
AjasLipstick · 30/04/2018 14:37

kitchen yes...this so-called "foodie" culture. I find it faintly disgusting I have to say. That's possibly my issue...but the obsession with social lunches here is annoying.

"Long lunches" are such a "thing" and every fundraiser involves shit food...nasty sausages and cake.

Then...the more stylish...massive "grazing" platters full of cheese and processed meat at every single function.

Oh...and a LOT of alcohol.

OP posts:
thatmustbenigelwiththebrie · 30/04/2018 14:47

I am surprised that people can be obese in Australia.

In the UK it's so shit and cold everyone needs pie and beer.

But in Oz? Surely it's too hot to eat and if it was sunny every day I'd be outside running around and enjoying it.

MarshaBradyo · 30/04/2018 14:49

Loads of carbs, sugar, beer, sitting in the sun

Although in cities people will be thinner. Especially Melbourne and Sydney

Johnnycomelately1 · 30/04/2018 14:53

Even in HK it’s becoming an issue. Older people are still slim but if you see secondary school kids en masse, quite a lot are overweight-not as bad as Uk but the 7-11 plague is definitely starting to take a toll.

Original poster
AjasLipstick · 30/04/2018 14:54

Brie they bloody love pie and beer in Oz too! No matter if it's hot...pies are major in South Australia.

And people work...and live in air conditioning.

Except us. We can't afford it.

Must be why I'm not obese yet. Grin

OP posts:
MarshaBradyo · 30/04/2018 14:54

But it depends on your social circle as all my friends are very fit and healthy over there

goodiegoodieyumyum · 30/04/2018 14:54

I am surprised how many of my former classmates are obese when looking at pictures of our 20 years reunion, they certainly weren't overwight in high school, I come from Melbourne and it seems the norm for people in their mid 40's to be overweight, much less obesity where I live in Germany.

MarshaBradyo · 30/04/2018 14:54

Also driving in small towns, hardly anyone walks somewhere

Original poster
AjasLipstick · 30/04/2018 15:03

Marsha How many friends do you have over here? Are they in Adelaide specifically?

OP posts:
MarshaBradyo · 30/04/2018 15:07

Oh no none in Adelaide Grin

All in Melbourne where I went to university

MarshaBradyo · 30/04/2018 15:08

I grew up in a very small Aus town though and I can see how it happens when I go back

Original poster
AjasLipstick · 30/04/2018 15:09

Well...we've been saying about how Adelaide has the worst stats. Melbourne's a different kettle of fish rather.

It's not so much a social issue as it once was here. Ten years ago, looking around the very middle class town where I now live, there was barely a soul overweight.

Not like that now.

OP posts:
ButterflyOfFreedom · 10/05/2018 22:15

Scarey stats indeed!

I've just watched 'the fat fight' - TV programme in the UK about obesity and what can be done about it.

We were encouraged to sign this:

www.newcastlecan.com/letter