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Overweight Brits abroad

1000 replies

Artyfart · 01/08/2023 08:57

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.

OP posts:
Thread gallery
23
Boredbard · 01/08/2023 11:32

Haven’t read the full thread but have to reluctantly agree. I’m in Majorca at the
moment and not many Brits at the hotel. Most (not all) people are slim, and all ages too. It’s noticeably different from home and it’s really given me a wake up call. I’m determined to lose some weight when I get back.

WomblingTree86 · 01/08/2023 11:33

angstridden2 · 01/08/2023 11:21

people get so defensive when weight is discussed on MN. Of course a small proportion of overweight people are on medication or have issues making it hard to maintain a healthy weight or really can’t afford to buy anything but the cheapest most unhealthy food. Most people aren’t in this situation though, it’s just easier to buy ready made food even if you’re not working long hours, less effort to not cook and it tastes nice frankly. However I don’t understand why people don’t realise when they’re several stone overweight and then of course it’s hell to lose it. I’m a bit overweight in my old age but if I creep up a few pounds I cut back. It’s scary when people in their 30s need new joints and will need it done again in 15 years time due to the strain on their body. It really is a matter of personal responsibility, not the State’s.

I don't blame people for being defensive as some posters are very judgmental and obnoxious about it including you. Why do people on Mumsnet feel the need to go on about it all the time?

Daphnis156 · 01/08/2023 11:34

I think the USA is the nation for obesity and gross overeating.
And much worse than fat British tourists are British tourists with bratty, loud children. (Fat or thin).

Cocktopus · 01/08/2023 11:34

PackettInn · 01/08/2023 11:25

Steroids aren't responsible for the 63.5% of fat people in the U.K.

They're responsible for a good many of them. As are the disabling conditions which necessitate treatment with them.

Museya15 · 01/08/2023 11:34

Another brit bashing post, two in one day.

RattleRattle · 01/08/2023 11:34

This reply has been deleted

This user is a goady troll so we've removed their posts.

KimberleyClark · 01/08/2023 11:35

HeidioftheAlps · 01/08/2023 11:24

People smoked a lot more then, which also put a strain on the NHS. People have just replaced putting cigarettes in their mouth as an emotional crutch with food.

This. Everybody smoked. And asI pointed out earlier nicotine is a known appetite suppressant.

LyingWitchInTheWardrobe · 01/08/2023 11:35

angstridden2 · 01/08/2023 11:26

BlossomCloud
i think you will find I mentioned people with medical or MH issues. Do you think we shouldn’t encourage sensible body weight because we might inadvertently upset a small minority? My friend is in a wheelchair and is getting bigger each year; I doubt anyone judges her for enjoying her food whilst taking no exercise.

Ohh... this is 'encouragement'? I thought it was concerted and determined derision.

Imagine the arrogance needed to think that berating people for their weight, posting countless threads about how awful overweight people are, plays any part in reducing weight.

Silverfoxlady · 01/08/2023 11:35

My kids told me to forgo my string bikini (seems to be the uniform for all beaches), and ‘cover up Mummy!’.

I too am going on a diet when I get back from my holiday.

LittleDrops · 01/08/2023 11:36

Since most of the target audience of MN are the upper working classes desperate to be perceived as lower middle....
This entire site generally admits to being short, alcohol dependent and overweight. Possibly not the best place to have this discussion Grin

MyMiniMetro · 01/08/2023 11:36

WomblingTree86 · 01/08/2023 11:33

I don't blame people for being defensive as some posters are very judgmental and obnoxious about it including you. Why do people on Mumsnet feel the need to go on about it all the time?

Does seem an wholly unnecessary thing to go on the internet and post a thread about.

RattleRattle · 01/08/2023 11:37

This reply has been deleted

This user is a goady troll so we've removed their posts.

foxyfoxfo · 01/08/2023 11:37

Blimey... mind yer business!

BlossomCloud · 01/08/2023 11:38

Cocktopus · 01/08/2023 11:34

They're responsible for a good many of them. As are the disabling conditions which necessitate treatment with them.

Oh you spoilsport. It's so much more pleasant for people if they can feel morally superior to fat people. Don't knock the wind out of their sails Grin.

Polis · 01/08/2023 11:38

People are taller now too, because wartime food rationing hasn't stunted childhood growth.

Is there any evidence that wartime rationing in the UK stunted childhood growth?

JamSandle · 01/08/2023 11:39

ivykaty44 · 01/08/2023 11:29

People are taller now too, because wartime food rationing hasn't stunted childhood growth this is factually incorrect

War time rationing didn't stunt human height https://economics.yale.edu/sites/default/files/yale_ljcg_ada-ns.pdf

and now we are one country in the world that has started losing height due to poor diet https://www.imperial.ac.uk/news/207893/poor-nutrition-school-years-have-created/

Isn't this partly because immigration from countries where people have a shorter average height has impacted stats?

MollysBrolly · 01/08/2023 11:39

Aren't you lovely OP. Concentrate on yourself rather than slagging strangers off.

Tahitiansummer · 01/08/2023 11:40

LittleDrops · 01/08/2023 11:36

Since most of the target audience of MN are the upper working classes desperate to be perceived as lower middle....
This entire site generally admits to being short, alcohol dependent and overweight. Possibly not the best place to have this discussion Grin

When in reality, the majority of users of MN are the very average middle, desperately fighting each other for what they believe to be their right to their share of national resources.....

Daisyhillsareblooming · 01/08/2023 11:41

I totally agree with you , and yes obesity in the UK is adding hugely to the strain on the NHS . Far too much unhealthy food and takeaways .

JennyJenny8675309 · 01/08/2023 11:42

Iamacatslave · 01/08/2023 09:57

I’m opening my popcorn 🍿

I’ve got mine ready too—extra butter!

TroysMammy · 01/08/2023 11:42

Other Europeans may be/getting obese but hopefully the grey joggers and football tops fashion isn't popular in the rest of Europe yet.

RattleRattle · 01/08/2023 11:42

This reply has been deleted

This user is a goady troll so we've removed their posts.

Medsy · 01/08/2023 11:43

One of the things that struck me about moving back to the UK is how you're constantly surrounded by food all the time. A lot of the wet pubs I used to go to now dont just do food as in a ploughman's board or sandwiches pr something, but proper intense menus, or Thai kitchens or whatever. Nowadays if you plan on going out for a drink instead of the old school small pack of peanuts or the crisps you used to rip open and share with the table, you're likely to have the choice of nachos, beer battered onion rings, jalapeño bites etc just to "snack on".

On the continent, a pharmacy is a pharmacy, the post office is a post office. Here you go into Boots and are hit with meal deals and crisps, my local PO basically doubles as a snack shop.

Supermarkets don't just give you one option. For example say you want to buy chipolatas for the BBQ. Where I was living on the mainland, even in a big city supermarket, you go to the sausage section and choose between cheap chipolatas or high quality chipolatas, end of. Here, its like how about cheese stuffed chipolatas or paprika glazed chipolatas or honey roasted chipolatas.

Finally it's about opening times too. Again even in big cities in many continental countries, past a certain hour and on Sundays if you get a craving that's too bad for you, you're just going to not eat or have a piece of bread or cheese or whatever is in your fridge.
But here, if its 11pm on a Sunday and u get a craving for Wotsists and Dr pepper and a Crunchie, I have literally 3 corner shops less than a 30 sec walk away in either direction that WILL be open and where I can satisfy every passing whim.

middleager · 01/08/2023 11:45

Lots of Brit bashing today. The problem is not just ours though.

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