Anyone shocked at Ireland being one of the most obese countries in Europe?

[Ethela]

https://brilliantmaps.com/obesity-rates-usa-v-europe/?fbclid=IwY2xjawJngKxleHRuA2FlbQIxMAABHnvR7oe_6LYbf4fcbzHl_BeAzJ8ePD0JuJAq5c3InyOEkk-pw539X2tyaeE4_aem_pxpU1_f0YknI4uA62X2TNQ

The figures for France look a bit off.

There are several a lot worse though, look at Romania, more obese than parts of America!

I’ve been abroad for a while and today went on a trip into our local town.. no, I’m not surprised at all. The amount of overweight, unkempt people is shocking.

Not shocked but then I've seen a lot of obese people in most countries I've visited too. It's global and increasing.

Not really. Diet isn’t great and most people are dependent on cars. Also for better or worse it doesn’t have the level of shame that southern Europe does, in Italy I am considered fat

I’m really not. Food is really bad here. Some study showed even 50% of toddlers calories was ultra processed.

I think that people are all oh it’s a balanced diet and hyper aware of giving kids food issues. Whether in France they are like you can only have one slice of bread, too much bread is not good.

No alcohol is fattening and alcoholism is rife

No. Constant snacking, huge portions, fizzy drinks, alcohol and driving everywhere doesn’t help.

So is Ireland more obese than 14 US states.

It stands out doesnt it - but these are 2024 WHO figures.

Yes to this. And kids spend a lot of time sedentary.

I agree re. shame - I know Dutch, Germans, Italians, Polish who are very matter of fact about ‘getting fat’ and don’t hesitate to let others know when they’ve put on some weight. I don’t know any Irish who would do it so bluntly except your GP!

There is a huge takeaway culture here as well, and we are very dependent on cars.

I don’t know any Irish who would do it so bluntly

Jesus my mother, aunts, uncles, grandparents are BRUTAL

Are they all thin? I’ve only ever had comments from overweight family members and I find it hard to get those to resonate - even though they have the first hand experience!

Actually I don’t think I’ve ever encountered that many overweight French people - either in the cities or in the countryside. I recall seeing more in Italy, Spain and Portugal (although nothing like Ireland/England/Australia) but not France.

I'm not surprised. There are an awful lot of very overweight people here.

Yes skinny all whippets which all of their generation are aunts/uncles now in 70s & 80s (grandparents passed) - but they all ran around after 6-8 kids each whilst fitting in part-time cleaning, waitressing, caring jobs on top. Never sat down always cleaning.

They didnt learn to drive until they were in their 40s, barely drank - but smoke like chimneys.

They always cook from scatch eat simple meat+2veg meals (non-UPF), rarely ate out or had takeaways - except fish and chips occassionally.

I live in France, obesity is rising but still relatively unusual. My kids used to be shocked to see obese people when we would come home to Ireland on holidays, especially children.

Like when we went to the US in the 80's.

Why should an overweight or obese person be shamed? It says a lot more about those who do try shaming others - horrible people.

I live in London but go back a lot to see my parents. Sadly it doesn't surprise me at all. The portions are giant and I see lots of children under the age of 10, grandchildren of neighbours, who are shockingly overweight.
Many friends we went to Uni with who were very slim are now very overweight too. Not saying I'm as slim as I was 30 years ago either - I'm not - with so much UPF around it's easy to consume 1000 Kcals with very little effort.

No more so than any other country especially the UK

It’s rife here. Particularly with women I notice.

Children are at a healthy weight when you can see their rib cage. Most kids nowadays are plump.
It’s almost the norm now.
Childcare facilities and schools can provide terribly processed food which really sets a poor example. The school meals program has a very bad name too.

kids are thought to pick up a bar of chocolate or a scone if they’re hungry.

I went to dublin last summer to visit a friend. Going into newsagents (or what used to be newsagents when newspapers and magazines were bought) shocked me. Shelves and shelves of wall to wall crisps and sweets. So much junk food.

I come from the uk, so no stranger to this type of snack food. But the sheer amount surprised me.

I’m Irish, none of my friends, family or work colleagues are obese,
Almost everyone I know eats healthily