Obesity is a disease of the poor in the west and the rich everywhere else

[AllUpInWomanBusiness]

OK, so I realise I’m unreasonable to be stating the obvious, but isn’t this wild? For the first time in human history fattening food - sugar, meat - is more affordable than the alternative. And poor people are eating themselves to death. It’s heartbreaking isn’t it?

'have you ever been to Valencia or other places outside of Madrid etc?'

Yes and the only overweight people I've seen are Brits! Anecdotally of course I'm not suggesting there aren't any fat Spanish people.

That does seem an incredibly healthy diet, I'm very surprised your bmi is 40.

The most overweight countries are not rich are they?

The slimmest are not poor

I always agreed with:

Rich: fat men/ thin women
Poor: thin men/ fat women

I think you are being very patronising to anyone poor OP.

You do realise that poor people know what a calorie is, fat etc? Or do you think they buy a pizza thinking it is health food.

If this were true (which it is in part), I suspect it would be more to do with being poor being depressing and food being a fun antidote to that then the cost of chocolate (or the ‘lack of education’ people often talk about) iyswim.

Oh I’ve just read back through the thread and noticed that George Orwell said that in 1937. Now I feel vindicated.

I'm wealthy, overweight and vegan.

@GetOffYourHighHorse

'have you ever been to Valencia or other places outside of Madrid etc?'

Yes and the only overweight people I've seen are Brits! Anecdotally of course I'm not suggesting there aren't any fat Spanish people.

That does seem an incredibly healthy diet, I'm very surprised your bmi is 40.

I lived in Valencia & I can tell you, it's not the Brits (only, anyway) that are fat.

I guess you don't believe me with your 'incredibly Healthy diet' comment, but whatever, believe what you want.

I just deleted what I wrote because it's incredibly personal & never changes how fucking judgemental people are.

But briefly, I had a virus attack my liver & my body reacted badly. Amongst other things I ended up with diabetes and I control it through diet & exercise to avoid medication & try to slow its progress.

Prior to that I was under 8 stone. Now I'm very very much not NOTHING I do (and I've tried it all) helps.

So yes, it's an incredibly healthy diet. Restrictive & limited further because I'm also vegetarian by choice.

Everyone is surprised my BMI is over 40, not least of all me.

But funnily enough all of the nasty, patronising, judgemental wank people like you come out with, doesn't actually decrease it.

But after this many years on MN I don't know why I bother even trying to make people understand that being fat doesn't mean we're all sitting in our fat arses scoffing takeaway & guzzling soft drinks, as much as the smug mcsmuggins would like to believe

If only they had a fucking clue.

@GetOffYourHighHorse

Your comments are no worse than many on the thread so my anger/upset/frustration really isn't solely aimed at you.

I'd just like people to think more before they spout shite like People really need to stop with the excuses, just eat less and at least walk places

Love love love Orwell

Read a book of essays recently

He noted that the term fascist was being applied to anyone that the writer/ speaker disagreed with. And it was devalued. I see that said a lot on MN, and it's true. He noted it the year after the second world war ended though!

People don't change. I recommend a good dose of Orwell to anyone. His insights are still so fresh. And totally irrelevant.

If anyone wants to know which essays book then I can post, obviously 1984 is as relevant as ever. Man was a total genius and I don't say that lightly...

Well I mean sometimes I do say it lightly but in this case it's a wow fuck wooah yikes crikey that's just etc etc etc.

I am not as good as expressing myself as him, you'll have gathered

He was, NiceGerbil.

And yes, everyone is a fascist who holds an opinion someone else thinks is “problematic”, these days. God forbid anyone should point out that we can’t actually control our opinions.

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_countries_by_body_mass_index
It's a very mixed picture

[quote AmelieTaylor]@GetOffYourHighHorse

Spain does not seem to have the masses of obese people like the UK

😂😂 have you ever been to Valencia or other places outside of Madrid etc?

I had 2x 1 hour long brisk walks today. Including hills and I walked into the village to put something in the post box (regrettably I don't have a dog).

So far today I've had water, lots of water, 2 cups of brewed coffee wuth a splash of cream and 150g of basil infused tofu (taifun). In a bit I'll be having lettuce/radish/tomato/cucumber, seeds & vegan Mayo & a bit of grated cheese over the top. Very very few carbs.

Last night I had Broccoli, courgette & 2 veggie sausages for dinner. Only coffee in the day.

This is my normal

My BMI is still over 40'[/quote]
But you inevitably have eaten a lot more or moved a lot less to end up like that haven’t you? The question is why people make these choices. Especially people like you who obviously have a good understanding of how to eat well

@MarshaBradyo

The most overweight countries are not rich are they?

The slimmest are not poor

The slimmest by average BMI are Eritrea and Ethiopia. With a whole host of other African nations in the top ten. Interestingly in Europe it’s Switzerland, one of the wealthiest countries

'I'd just like people to think more before they spout shite like People really need to stop with the excuses, just eat less and at least walk places'

And yet it is an inconvenient truth. Of course, like alcoholics there are a few people who have no control, they are 'addicted' but for the vast majority of people they just eat too much and don't get off their arses. I'm sorry if this annoys you.

I agree NiceGerbil

My post quoted from The Road to Wigan Pier if anyone unfamiliar with it is inspired to read more.

@YellowBeryl1

I think you are being very patronising to anyone poor OP.

You do realise that poor people know what a calorie is, fat etc? Or do you think they buy a pizza thinking it is health food.

Yes I think poor people understand a pizza is less healthy than brown rice and veg. But I think it’s a travesty that you can buy a pizza so cheaply.

Allup true, I was thinking of Japan, but didn’t check list and at other end Tonga

@Rubyupbeat

I'm wealthy, overweight and vegan.

Yes but again, we’re talking about populations not you. More poor meat eaters and overweight than wealthy vegans, proportionally.

@AllUpInWomanBusiness, for goodness sake read @AmelieTaylor before you snugly decide you once again know anyones situation. Maybe you should name share with @GetOffYourHighHorse.

@NiceGerbil

Love love love Orwell

Read a book of essays recently

He noted that the term fascist was being applied to anyone that the writer/ speaker disagreed with. And it was devalued. I see that said a lot on MN, and it's true. He noted it the year after the second world war ended though!

People don't change. I recommend a good dose of Orwell to anyone. His insights are still so fresh. And totally irrelevant.

If anyone wants to know which essays book then I can post, obviously 1984 is as relevant as ever. Man was a total genius and I don't say that lightly...

Have you read that collection ‘books vs cigarettes’? It’s quite relevant to this topic actually. About how instant gratification (even when it’s bad for you) is almost the more “human” choice over more edifying but less instantly pleasurable stuff

I got fat when I was tired and depressed.

Convenience food is fattening.

[quote BrumBoo]**@AllUpInWomanBusiness, for goodness sake read @AmelieTaylor* before you snugly decide you once again know anyones situation. Maybe you should name share with @GetOffYourHighHorse.[/quote]
I hadn’t seen her update before posting. Apologies to @AmelieTaylor*

I'm poor and fat. I don't feel patronised by this post. I know how to cook, We've never lived off of freezer food.
Saying that, I took my first trip to the food warehouse the other day and saw bags of 48 chicken nuggets for a fiver, 20 sausages, frozen mince and chicken pieces
for a quid, and huge bags of chips for a couple of quid. If you have a big family and a tiny budget, you are obviously going to buy these things over mince, chicken breasts and better quality sausages.
In the same shop was the biggest packs of sweets, chocolate and ice creams I've ever seen for very little money. So I do agree with what you are saying, op.