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.

For me it’s anxiety 😥

The UK has terrible food

This is not true
The US has terrible food and way more overweight people

How is this cruise ship staying afloat with all these fat bastards on? We've lost sight of how a modern cruise ship balances its ballast tanks!

People constantly blame poverty and I've no doubt it plays a part.

But as someone who grew up in the 70s, when there were far fewer obese adults and children, I'd say...

Fast food deliveries.
Unlimited TV channels 24/7.
Cheap, processed, convenience foods.
Far fewer children playing out in the streets.
The popularity of the internet.
Games consoles.
Big rise in portion sizes.

And that's just off the top of my head.

I can't speak for everyone, but in my case it was a horrifically unhappy childhood where my only respite was at my nans who gave me sweets. Which led to an association between treat foods and happiness.

I've tried so many times to change my mindset. But it's hard. Bloody hard. Every time I achieve short term success, a period of stress crops up and the bad eating habits return.

Plus I've got a wardrobe full of size 18 so it would be a waste to lose weight and have to buy all new clothes.

It is a combination of things and affects both men and women as far as I can tell.

Time pressures - many adults have to work full time and don't have someone else to make food for them. It can be tempting to get an 'easy/quick' processed meal that can be slung in the microwave, or to pick up a takeaway etc. Eating healthily may not HAVE to take extra time, but planning etc certainly does take thought and effort.

Money issues - yes, again, cooking from scratch can be cheaper, but it's things like snacks that I find are the issue - it can be far cheaper to buy a store's own brand packet of biscuits than it is to buy a bag of fruit.

Not even realising when you're getting overweight - lots of people are getting bigger, which means it can be harder to tell when you're putting on weight, cos you just seem to be like everyone else.

Lack of exercise - again, can be down to time pressures. I also think many people have jobs that involve sitting down all day - and in some cases (like if you work in a call centre) getting up is actively discouraged.

I’ll tell you why I’m heavier now than I’ve ever been if you like OP…

it’s because I’m FINALLY happy. The last 10 years I’ve been skinny and suicidal.

I know which body shape I’d pick!

Because every time some clump glares at me on a cruise ship, I eat a fucking bourbon.

I know what it is and think that people that want that kind of relationship with a government are fucking odd.

We walk less/cycle less in the UK compared to other countries in Europe.

We drive to the supermarket rather than walking to the local shop.

It really is a small thing, but I think it's one of the most significant.

Has anyone tried the new white chocolate digestives?!

Happy family life, a stable relationship, Cadburys dairy milk

I don't think it's unsubstantiated at all. Many people where I work are overweight, including me, and we all knkw about nutrition etc (we're medics, nurses, hospital management) but we're knackered. We work long hours in a stressful job and often at the mercy of the nearest vending machine, as we can't always spare the time to go to the hospital canteen. When we get home, whether we have kids or not, we're too tired to cook from scratch so stick a pizza in the oven or whatever else we can find that is filling and quick.

I love with my partner and he works from home, but is in a stressful NHS min clinical role. I often get home to find hes barely had time to go to the toilet let alone prepare food as he's non stop, back to back meetings and crisis after crisis every day.

We're exhausted.

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.

Body positivity hasn’t caused obesity. A lot of people who started the body positive movement did so because of being done with diet culture and the damage it causes.

More casual dressing. I don’t like to go up a dress size so if I put on weight I suddenly find that my stretchiest clothes are involved in the look I’m going for. It’s easier to notice less when not wearing something that involves a waist band that will start digging in or make my thighs feel like they’ve been squeezed into sausage skin.

I think pregnancy then child rearing plays a part, especially among middle class women where poverty, lack of cooking skills etc are not a factor. Most women perfectly naturally gain weight during their pregnancies and many are too busy and knackered to lose it afterwards given the bulk of responsibility for children and the household falls on women on top of a full time job. Their husband still buggers off to the gym after work or cycling on the weekend while they're lucky if they get five minutes to themselves. Add in comfort eating, convenience food, turning to the wine when the kids are finally in bed, and the weight creeps up. I've noticed this is partially the case after a second or subsequent child. My friends who got back to a healthy weight all had husbands who shared the load to cook healthy meals and ensure they had free time for exercise.

The UK has way more ready meals in shops than other places in Europe.

I love to mooch in supermarkets when on holiday. The difference is fascinating.

In terms of time to cook, why do Brits have less than their European counterparts?

It’s not just women though is it. That’s just sexiest.

What is correct though is that compared to many of our European counterparts, we are VERY overweight as a society. And food is no cheaper in France/Italy/Spain/Greece etc. What we do have SO much more of though is crappy, shitty fast food ‘restaurants’. Every town now has a Mcds, KFC, BK, Starbucks, Greggs, Dixie chicken, subway, millions of ‘desert shacks’ and on and on and on…

We bloody love it and our culture isn’t into good food as a general rule in the way that say the French are. Obviously many people are but as a general rule no.

People stuffing their faces with massive quantities of crap food and not moving. The trend towards working from home probably doesn’t help either.

I work in healthcare and overall the majority of grossly obese people I treat are men. Your classic cardiac patient is white, middle class, middle aged, with a massive belly and high BMI. Usually type 2 diabetic with a hint of gout.

Nailed it.

One word : Prosecco. Young women are knocking back bottles of the stuff. It’s full of sugar.

An Italian wine merchant I know says he won’t touch the stuff, it’s poison.

Perhaps they are just ultra cautious and are wearing their life-jacket under their clothes?

I've put half a stone on every year for last 20 years..
It's stopped happening now .
But l did get thrown under a moving bus and left for dead.
Left disabled.. no gym or walking everywhere for me any more .
20 plus years of MH and counselling.. in and out of psychiatric hospital.
Major operations.
Ex released from jail etc.
.
Not sure about other women.. but that's why at age 66 I'm obese

It’s definitely men as well. I think it is mostly greed and then making silly excuses for it.

Amazing but they need more chocolate.