Why are there so many overweight and obese British women?

[EvaHara]

Genuine post and I promise I am not a weight troll. Recently I was on a cruise and couldn't help but notice that many other British women onboard - especially younger women - were considerably overweight or obese. Some were in fact huge and easily as big as some women I saw in the US when there a few years ago.

What has caused this rise in overweight people, particularly younger women? I don't remember there being this many overweight/obese people even 10 years ago.

I am not judging, just curious.

No men?

Biscuits are so yummy

No. There were more overweight/obese women than men.

poverty, culture, not having time or money to make decent food, bad weather (harder to go out and do fun stuff outside), ubiquity of UPF

I see many overweight men too. This is a society issue affecting both sexes.

Surely you are aware of some of the reasons? It’s complex. Food availability, time pressures, modern lifestyles, physical and mental health issues etc. No easy answers.

Must have been hiding behind the army of fat young women on cruise ships.

There are fat men as well

Probably cause they like food OP

Flaming Hot Wotsits 😋

It must be diet related- processed food becoming normalised rather than cooking from scratch and plenty of vegetables with meals. It is the same in my city, more than half the women seem to be obese.

I was also shocked lately when I visited a Sainsbury’s in a more run down part of my city- junk food was mixed into every aisle and it seemed like sweets and crisps were everywhere. In the Sainsbury’s across the city which is a wealthier area, the junk food has its own dedicated area. It really made me angry as obviously they are pushing more unhealthy food in a less affluent area.

Pies, according to tradition

I'm away abroad now and you can tell the English because the majority are overweight , both men and women

"I am not judging, just curious."

I'm sure ...

Not likely to be poverty if these are cruise guests though ?

I was interested in the claim about women so I googled

Male obesity is a growing problem in the UK, with 67% of men in the UK overweight or obese, compared with 62% of women.

Not sure why you've focused this on women.... There are an absolute ton of reasons

Cost of food, UPF is cheap
Stressful lives
Drinking culture
Long working hours
Change in how people cook
Prevelance of cheap takeaway food
Government policies not supporting health
Childhood obesity

They like eating 🤷‍♀️

“Body positivity”

Cake and chocolate and not being French.

I'm a fat 36 year old. Gained 3 stone over the last couple of years having struggled with so many things. My portion control and willpower has gone out the window, I've lost sight of what is healthy. I am trying to get back on the horse but it's hard when all I do is work and look after my children, I don't have enough spare time for a half an hour run like I used to. HTH

Complex reasons but you are also using a bias sample. Those who are keen on food (I am) are attracted to cruises as are those with mobility issues (there's obviously an over lap on this Venn diagram).

If your sample was from women taking long distance cycling holidays or visiting yoga retreats you'll see a different subset of the population.

Tell you what op, I will give you the standard MN response:

What did they tell you when you asked them why they were overweight?

It is not the governments fault that people are fat

The band of gluttony/AI wrist band.

Who actually fucking cares ?
Now pass me a biscuit

Oh lovely. Bank Holiday Fatty Bashing.

What's up OP? All the shops closed? Nothing on telly?

Jeez. This topic is so tedious.