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.

It's a mystery...if only there had been public health initiatives, numerous documentaries and Ted Talks about obesity and dozens of evidence based research articles about it and discussions in health care and Parliament since the 80s.

We just don't have any theories or understanding sadly 😔

All these fat wimmin must be eating the men. We've clearly lost sight of what a normal fat bitch cannibal looks like.

Chocolate hobnob?

Junk food and easy access to it.

I've had to completely change my diet when my diabetes went out of control after years of management... and now have to low carb including low sugar. It's almost impossible to eat out... our diets are far too sugar and carb heavy.

It partly is.

😆😆

Food tastes nice? Honestly I’m lardy but I’ve gotten my bmi down to 27. I think people don’t prioritise their health. We are all super busy jobs, kids, caring responsibilities. Then when not doing this we are knackered and spend time with your phone. I’ve found it a big effort to eat well, make room in my life for gym/ yoga.

being healthy requires a certain amount of money/ time/ energy which many of us just don’t have.

Alcohol culture

Unhealthy lifestyles are cheaper and more accessible than ever. Life is tough and people are fed up, struggling for money, and tired so understandably take the easy short-term options for a bit of relief. I'm sure the same would have happened at many other points in history if those people had the same options in front of them - it's human nature.

As for the cruise - probably just that cruises are more popular with women or something along those lines as obesity is an issue across the board.

I guess so many reasons - high levels of disability and mental health issues, a lot of binge drinking amongst all age groups, junk food cheap and easily available everywhere. Gym membership expensive and out of reach for a lot of people. many women take up most of the slack of looking after kids plus being expected to work and don't have time to priorities their own health.

Because I'm a greedy bitch and eat too much. I try and diet but after a shit day at work I drink loads of wine and eat cheese. I think the only way for me to be thin is if they cut off my head.

They should just round up all us fatties and take us away somewhere and starve us all.

Obesity is a nationwide health issue, for both men and women. There are many complex reasons for it, as PP have highlighted. Perhaps two newer exacerbating factors are an increase in the number of adults who have been obese since early childhood, coupled with a culture of "body positivity" that allows people to think it's just "who they are" as opposed to a health problem that needs addressing.

Oh do get a hobby.

Just your cruise then as men are consistently more overweight/obese according to the gov stats and Health England survey.

If they're on a cruise, it's probably the all you can eat buffet, is it not?!

Totally unsubstantiated but I would agree long working hours is a contributory factor. I an interested in diet and nutrition but between a full on WOTH job and two kids I just don't often have time to cook the sort of nutritious meals I would like to. I have also become quiet reliant on crisps/cereal bars etc for kids packed lunches. I rarely have time to make myself a proper lunch and end up grazing on biscuits etc.

When I worked part time we ate better but cost of living increases means I now probably couldn't buy all the groceries needed on my part-time salary.

British supermarkets are amazing, some convenience foods taste really good, also long working hours cause people to be tired and rely on ready made foods instead of cooking from scratch

Eating too much?

Biased

not bias

Well it's a complex issue with a lot of different factors that contribute. And policy often doesn't support health. There are initiatives to try and deal with this. Look up the "Health in All Policies" approach.

Probably something to do with the huge numbers of foods that are ultra processed.
As the recent study by Dr Chris Van Tulleken states, a lot of the fillers added to foods are highly addictive. https://www.theguardian.com/food/2023/sep/06/ultra-processed-foods-the-19-things-everyone-needs-to-know?CMP=Share_iOSApp_Other
If we are being hoodwinked into eating too much by what we thought were standard foods, then obesity is to be expected. Especially since most UPF’s are the cheaper foodstuffs.

A cruise is the type of holiday which will attract people fond of their food and drink, so I suspect that's why a greater proportion will be overweight/obese. It's one of the reasons I won't go on a cruise - I have no self-control!

@IDoNotConsentToAstonResearch

Unless you want to live in a country that is dictatorial, it's not the government's fault that we use our free will to purchase foods that aren't good for us/too much food. The government has put rules in place where appropriate but seriously, this is down to us, people like me. I'm not fat due to the government, I'm fat because I eat too much and like beer (on weekends I should add, i don't drink that much) oh and i don't do any enough exercise

The UK has terrible food

Id say overall we are unhealthier. Hidden sugars, genetically modified food, takeaway culture.

I agree. I’ve noticed there’s some kind of ‘weight’ thread every few days..and of course they always gets lots of responses. If I was cynical I’d think it was MN trying to stir up the pot to increase comments.