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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Why are British kids fat?

999 replies

VogueVVague · 29/05/2018 12:26

So time, two parents working, low budget/cost - all these things can result in ready meals being served up etc. but that still doesnt explain why, compared to the rest of Europe, our kids are the fattest.

So whats the reason?

Is it political?
Cultural?

Something must have changed for us and mot the rest of Europe in the past 50 years (doubt kids before 1960 were chunky).

OP posts:
ParisUSM · 30/05/2018 14:29

That's weird that the gym commented on bras - many women have smaller breasts which wouldn't be in danger of damage, and surely it's up to the individual?

expatinscotland · 30/05/2018 14:30

Two bras would definitely not work for me. I tried that whilst I saved up to afford a decent sports bra.

OliviaStabler · 30/05/2018 14:31

I think it’s more socially acceptable to be fat in the UK.
I live in a European country and people comment on other people’s weight much more to their faces anyway.

Not more acceptable but there are now such loud screams of 'fat shaming' whenever excess weight is mentioned, people are afraid of saying anything to highlight a concern I.e. a family member's excess weight.

And I don't mean nasty comments, I am talking about people who are genuinely worried about the health of someone they love.

HelenaDove · 30/05/2018 14:33

It might well be none of their business but it was a bit obvious when i found a lot of the excersises uncomfortable painful + impossible to do until i bought a Royce. Brilliant sports bras they are. I even wore it when not excersising.

HelenaDove · 30/05/2018 14:37

Paris they actually said that women needed to wear them to prevent any damage.

Curves have no connection to any bra company so it was just advice.

The difference was the women with smaller breasts could get away with fibbing that they had bought one but its a bit more obvious when a bigger breasted woman isnt wearing one.

HelenaDove · 30/05/2018 14:39

its also bloody painful excersising without a proper sports bra if you are well endowed in this area.

MiggeldyHiggins · 30/05/2018 14:49

Thye can advise all they want (although they shouldn't be talking about anyones breasts without being asked) but they cant insist on anything.

Plus it all depends on what exercise you do. I need an industrial sports bra if I run but a normal one is fine for non impact exercise of any kind.

HelenaDove · 30/05/2018 14:50

You dont always lose weight off your breasts when you diet and excersise either I didnt The weight came off everywhere else including my back.

MiggeldyHiggins · 30/05/2018 14:53

If you lose weight off your back that affects your bra size.

AngelicaH · 30/05/2018 14:53

Do it like the Scandinavians. Increase the prices to an ridiculous amount on sweets and chocolate, etc and lower the price on fruit and vege, darn it.

Teateaandmoretea · 30/05/2018 14:54

One slice of bread today is probably the same as 2 thirty years ago.

It depends on what you buy but I think there is definitely some truth in this - all the thick sliced seeded bread. People are Shock that I just buy value medium sliced wholemeal for everyday.

formerbabe · 30/05/2018 14:54

toast, peanut butter and a banana would be more calories than what I have for lunch never mind a snack, really can't get my head round it

I eat a teaspoon of dust for lunch. Do I win?!

HelenaDove · 30/05/2018 14:56

Ah but this thread has been saying not enough ppl are doing proper excersise for their health

For that a sports bra is required ...........which costs and many poorer ppl wont be able to afford it.

Because of Curves letting me join for £10 a month (yep this is not a typo) i was able to save up for a sports bra in a matter of weeks rather than months. So they had already helped by letting me join at knockdown price. Was i really supposed to say "none of your business" after that.

HelenaDove · 30/05/2018 14:57

YY Higgins i went from a 46G to a 32HH which is what my size is now.

When i joined the gym i needed a 38K

Lweji · 30/05/2018 14:58

You don't need sports bras to swim. Or do yoga.

MiggeldyHiggins · 30/05/2018 14:58

Ah but this thread has been saying not enough ppl are doing proper excersise for their health For that a sports bra is required ...........which costs and many poorer ppl wont be able to afford it

No, sorry, but you're still talking shite. A sports bra is not at all required by everyone for any and all proper exercise. Thats' just not remotely true. Some people need them for some types of exercising. There is lots of exercise people can do that does not involve a sports bra, and its ridiculous to claim otherwise.

HelenaDove · 30/05/2018 15:00

Maybe if we tackled the ridiculous price of housing and renting in this country people could afford all the things to make them healthier and feel more motivated to do it.

ParisUSM · 30/05/2018 15:01

I don't need a sports bra and the chances of my breasts moving 21cm during exercise are limited, haha.

HelenaDove · 30/05/2018 15:02

Well i guess its much more virtuous to need treatment off the NHS for damage to breast tissue from excersising than it is for being overweight.

formerbabe · 30/05/2018 15:03

I totally understand the link between poverty and obesity but it's a bit of a stretch to say that poorer women don't exercise because they can't afford a sports bra.

LinoleumBlownapart · 30/05/2018 15:04

Last time I was in the UK I got a really good sports bra. I think it was £5. It certainly wasn't expensive because for every £1 I spend costs me R$5 and I don't like wasting money. It is much better than the expensive one I had before.

Lweji · 30/05/2018 15:05

Also, you can exercise in your mind. Grin
www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/articles/1wzlc1KxyjMlk6ZMB0sQVhG/is-it-possible-to-get-stronger-just-by-thinking-about-exercise

Or just walk a lot, or do loads of cleaning.

Having said that...

The science is in: exercise won’t help you lose much weight

www.vox.com/2018/1/3/16845438/exercise-weight-loss-myth-burn-calories

which also says:
Exercise can undermine weight loss in other, subtle ways

ParisUSM · 30/05/2018 15:08

How many people need treatment from the NHS for damage to breast tissue due to exercise?

Lethaldrizzle · 30/05/2018 15:08

Pack of 2 sports bras £8 from simply b. Box of dunkin donuts - £12.50......