Overweight Brits abroad

[Artyfart]

I know this will upset people but it’s time to face facts and I’m talking about myself here too. Just got back from second holiday abroad this year when once again it was painfully noticeable how overweight British people are compared to our European neighbours. We stand out a mile! Every time I saw someone fat I’d wait for it and…. British accent. We look a state and it’s time to do something about it. No wonder the NHS is on its knees. I came back more determined than ever to lose weight.

You haven’t actually said what your AIBU is but anyway, regardless of whether you’re including yourself in this or not, this is a weird post. Your “findings” hardly constitute a scientific sample. Your feelings about your own weight will likely have led to confirmation bias too. And it’s disingenuous to suggest that it’s fat people that have led the NHS to breaking point compared to all the other factors that we are know are part of the problem too.

Obesity is on the rise in the rest of Europe too. Other countries might be behind, but they're catching up. It might be worth considering what it is in our societies that's creating an obesogenic environment and what we can do collectively to combat it. Individually, people don't have long-term success in maintaining weight loss. We can't keep attributing obesity to personal failures, because that isn't working.

And?

Let us see what you look like.

When i went to Lanzarote in May there were mixed sized people from lots of nationalities, Brits weren't the majority of overweight people.
What i did notice was a lot of the Brits going for a run first thing in the morning/attending the exercise classes.

Interesting.

Whether it be a first post or nc for this particular post.

That is what is painfully noticeable for me.

I just noticed this too. Was at an all inclusive in Portugal and ended up just feeling so bad.
I think it doesn't help that most of the staff seemed to be local, maybe students, who were all young, extremely slim and good looking..

We are generally over weight as a nation and have lost sight of what a healthy weight looks like. But when abroad I have noticed overweight people of all nationalities, so I don’t think it’s just a British problem.

British people do seem to be the most sun burnt though. That’s how they stand out to me.

There are lots of fat Germans. I've worked with them. However the ones I've worked with aren't the type of people who would go on a beach holiday as it isn't something that would interest them.

So your sample is unscientific as there are lots of fat people across Europe particularly Western Europe.

What a judgy post... can't say I've noticed the same

If you are looking for overweight people try the US

Maybe the NHS should stop prescribing steroids to people when there are drugs that are just as effective (but more expensive) that don't cause weight gain 🤷‍♀️

I was slim till I was prescribed steroids. I am losing weight again now I am off them. But no doubt you would be shaking your judgy little head at me

Ah, I haven't heard the NHS is on "its knees" since the heady days of the pandemic.

I'm sure you will get lots of responses though. MN loves a thread about fatties.

Brits are fatter than pretty much all other European countries. Malta is bigger but it's also full of the British.

I reckon it depends where you go. I didn't notice any overweight brits on my holiday in Lake Annecy. Don't see many overweight brits where I live in SW London, in fact you can barely move for runners.

We were in France surrounded mostly by French, Dutch, Belgians and Germans and we thought the exact same thing. There were lots of 'overweight' holidaymakers but the seriously big ones were British, I'm afraid. Just because other European countries are catching up doesn't make it less of an issue for our country and health services.

UK is not the most fat country in Europe but not far off. The differences aren't huge (no pun intended) between rates in lots of countries though so it sounds like you're suffering from confirmation bias.

There is a strong correlation between income and obesity though so I wonder if you were staying somewhere where for whatever reason you're seeing lower income Brits as compared to the people travelling from other countries.

Yeah, I think you need to head for Benidorm maybe?

A quick google suggests that the UK isn't in the top ten most obese countries, and that obesity is rising fast across the globe with over half of the population of the world set to be overweight or obese by 2035. It's not just a UK problem.

Try travelling around Europe more and you will see that there are many overweight people of all nationalities.

I agree, Brits tend to be quite scruffy too on holiday

Exactly what struck me.

I was wondering, though, whether using one of those low-fat spreads instead of Kerrygold would help get rid of some of my "excess baggage".
Something like "I Can't Believe it's not Botter", perhaps.

I’ve just been to Amsterdam (less touristy bits, staying with family) and I felt like I stuck out like a sore thumb, the Dutch I met were all so slim, sporty and fit. Def given me the kick up the arse to do something about my size.

Oh here we go.again the weekly isn't Britain terrible compared to.the rest of the world thread 🙄
Now its the fatties next week it will.be something else mums net has decided Britain is terrible for.

Are your holidays very boring? I can't say I go on holiday and notice what people are wearing, nor have the time/inclination to remark that people who are relaxing on their break are 'scruffy' (and fat, let's not forget fat).

Well done for getting No wonder the NHS is on its knees into your first post OP. We've lost sight of what a healthy weight is, vanity sizing and eat less, move more will be along shortly, I presume?

Do you hold the same animosity towards those with undereating disorders, I wonder? Given that anorexia is on the rise, particularly among young people? Do you point out the burden they are on the NHS? Or perhaps you think that those of us on medication which makes us fat should just stop taking it? Do you understand binge eating disorders? Do you judge everyone you meet, or just fat people?

So many questions, OP! But I doubt you'll answer any on them.