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[Madness]

http://www.oecd.org/health/obesity-update.htm

They have a giant update this year in terms of obesity amongst OECD countries both industrialized and developing.

5 Fattest Countries in the World, Percentage of Obese Adults

United States of America, 38.2%
Mexico, 32.4%
New Zealand, 30.7%
Hungary, 30%
Australia, 27.0%

5 Skinniest Countries in the World, Percentage of Obese Adults

Japan, 3.7%
India 5.0%
Korea, 5.3%
Indonesia 6.5%
China 7.0%

They predict in just 12 years, the percentage of American adults to be over 50% obese, meaning BMI well over 30. Which is ridiculous when you factor in the population size. I mean in 1980, less than 13% of American adults were considered obese. We aren't even talking overweight here. Additionally, American women more likely to be obese than men, and education level is also a solid predictor of obesity, those with high school level or below education more likely to be obese than those with post-secondary or college degrees. It is interesting though that Japan and South Korea even with their rampant industrialization have kept their obesity rates so low even though they are rising everywhere, it is not as if they have any less of a sedentary lifestyle, transit, office work, convenience and ease of access to food.

You can see a lot more facts and details if you download the report. What is troubling is that while India and China are still below the average, just a slight increase in percentage for them means millions of more obese citizens. One of their charts shows that Canada and the UK are also rising rapidly.

Edit: Projected rates as percentage of population obese in just another decade

 

[Zaru]

It's a bit funny that the lower half of that chart is mostly self-reported while the upper half is mostly measured, but I assume that wouldn't make up such a massive difference.

 

[bodyboarder]

The stats look even worse when you include overweight.

 

[Hoo-doo]

Obese seems to be the new normal over there. We're fast approaching the Wall-E future.

 

[KonradLaw]

Damn. I remember reading that Mexico has surpassed USA in obesity records, but you guys sure made a comeback

 

[Robiin]

Why is Finland so high up when the rest of Scandinavia is doing ok?

 

[jelly]

Crazy to think that many people who don't care about their weight and health live in a country with expensive healthcare. Does that never cross your mind?

 

[deadscreensky]

Insulin resistance is a real bitch.

I do wonder if it's going to hit a point where we see strong government regulation to try to right things. I can't imagine the vast majority of Americans being okay with that, but at the same time I don't understand how obesity of 45+% could be sustainable. The national health care costs alone would be absurd.

OECD seems to mostly be pushing consumer education and similar policies, but I have no confidence of that working in any real way. At least in the US, obesity has been a well-publicized problem for decades, and despite lots and lots of education it's only gotten considerably worse. (I personally have a lot of problems with much of this education -- particularly the focus on total calories and reducing fat consumption -- and think a lot of that has only increased the problem, but it still demonstrates it's not an issue of the public not caring.)

Obviously nothing positive is going to happen in the US under our current government. I guess we'll see where things stand in ten years.

 

[Joni]

Yes. I'm no longer in the obese section after losing 13 kg. Another 13 lost should put me in normal.

 

[siddx]

I can't download the report right now. What does it classify as obese? The standard bmi classification of obese for instance is deeply flawed. It just seems dubious that more than 1/3 of the population is obese. 38% being overweight sure I can definitely believe that, but obese brings to mind mobile scooters,two seats in economy class, and people out of breathe walking up a short flight of stairs.

 

[Escape Goat]

USA is #1! USA is #1!!

Suck it,world!

 

[Mt Heart Attack]

I'm always surprised to see the UK so high up the list, when I moved to London a couple of years back I was expecting to be surrounded by obese people, but that's really not the case at all (and I would have noticed, since the region of Italy I'm from has like a 8% obesity rate.
Are all the fatties living elsewhere in the UK or something.

Also interesting how the most obese countries tend to be English speaking.

 

[Hoo-doo]

I can't download the report right now. What does it classify as obese? The standard bmi classification of obese for instance is deeply flawed. It just seems dubious that more than 1/3 of the population is obese. 38% being overweight sure I can definitely believe that, but obese brings to mind mobile scooters,two seats in economy class, and people out of breathe walking up a short flight of stairs.

For the general population and studies like this, BMI is not flawed at all.

For the individual it can be, but then again the amount of people this applies to is utterly insignificant.

 

[Hypron]

Goddamn, NZ fat as fuck too

I can't download the report right now. What does it classify as obese? The standard bmi classification of obese for instance is deeply flawed. It just seems dubious that more than 1/3 of the population is obese. 38% being overweight sure I can definitely believe that, but obese brings to mind mobile scooters,two seats in economy class, and people out of breathe walking up a short flight of stairs.

Those people would be morbidly obese. An issue with obesity is the distortion in how people perceive how overweight they are. A lot of "overweight" people are actually obese.

 

[ShiroAmakusa]

USA is #1! USA is #1!!

Suck it,world!

Well, the stereo type of the fat (US) American is basically pop culture all around the world. :/

 

[veryslowhand]

I can't download the report right now. What does it classify as obese? The standard bmi classification of obese for instance is deeply flawed. It just seems dubious that more than 1/3 of the population is obese. 38% being overweight sure I can definitely believe that, but obese brings to mind mobile scooters,two seats in economy class, and people out of breathe walking up a short flight of stairs.

you dont have to be that fat to be considered obese

 

[KillLaCam]

Wow. We should probably do something about that and make whatever mandatory. This is crazy

 

[Linkstrikesback]

Wow. We should probably do something about that and make whatever mandatory. This is crazy

Right, but you try getting in to whichever government on a platform of mandatory rationing.

Really, it's a sensible option for a lot of reasons, even beyond the out of control weight situation, but it's not an easy sell.

 

[siddx]

you dont have to be that fat to be considered obese

Which is where my confusion lies. Growing up obese meant fat to an extreme. It was reserved for "You are in serious trouble and will die young".

 

[StoppedInTracks]

How is Italy so low on the list?!? They eat unimaginable amounts of pasta every day.

 

[twofoldd]

I'm always surprised to see the UK so high up the list, when I moved to London a couple of years back I was expecting to be surrounded by obese people, but that's really not the case at all (and I would have noticed, since the region of Italy I'm from has like a 8% obesity rate.
Are all the fatties living elsewhere in the UK or something.

Also interesting how the most obese countries tend to be English speaking.

Yup. Crazy how big the difference is when you get out of London. I'm always surprised when I head back home to visit the parents.

 

[psaman17]

Its the diet. Yall eat crap.

 

[1st Course]

I can't download the report right now. What does it classify as obese? The standard bmi classification of obese for instance is deeply flawed. It just seems dubious that more than 1/3 of the population is obese. 38% being overweight sure I can definitely believe that, but obese brings to mind mobile scooters,two seats in economy class, and people out of breathe walking up a short flight of stairs.

BMI > 30 is fine.


Even in case of muscular people the vast majority shouldn't hit 30 BMI unless they have quite high body fat % or are muscline to the extreme.

This guy is 30 BMI for example and most athletes surely don't look anywhere close to this

 

[michaelius]

Zero surprise when you look at any fast food topic on Neogaf

 

[Mendrox]

I know why Japanese are slim. The meals are not that big. I always got just enough. Also way healthier I think.

 

[Creamium]

Laugh at our strugglewiches some more Americans

 

[Bedameister]

How is Italy so low on the list?!? They eat unimaginable amounts of pasta every day.

Italian food is actually very healthy (and no they don't eat pasta and pizza all day)

 

[Hoo-doo]

Which is where my confusion lies. Growing up obese meant fat to an extreme. It was reserved for "You are in serious trouble and will die young".

The definition of obesity hasn't changed. You're talking about morbidly obese people.

You're obese if you hit a BMI higher than 30.

Zero surprise when you look at any fast food topic on Neogaf

It's always kinda shocking to me what kind of an event it seems to be for people to be eating fast food. Every new burger is marketed/talked about like it's some new movie hitting theaters or something. That just doesn't happen over here.

 

[brawly]

Not surprising when you eat fast food trash every day.

I cringe at the thought of eating breakfast at McDonalds.

 

[deadscreensky]

How is Italy so low on the list?!? They eat unimaginable amounts of pasta every day.

They also eat very little sugar, comparatively, which probably compensates. Extreme fructose intake is what builds up insulin resistance, basically, so if you're not suffering from that then your body is going to do a much better job at not getting fat from carbs. (Obviously this is a big simplification, there are lots of other factors, but insulin resistance is probably the main one when it comes to obesity.)

For example here they say the average Italian eats 57 grams of sugar a day. Japan is roughly around that too. Americans eat 126 grams.

 

[Palette Swap]

I guess in that regard, the US is well represented by its president.

How is Italy so low on the list?!? They eat unimaginable amounts of pasta every day.

Way less unhealthy food and diet.

 

[Mt Heart Attack]

Italian food is actually very healthy (and no they don't eat pasta and pizza all day)

Crazy how pasta and pizza are considered unhealthy food these days.
Yes, Domino pizza and pasta made with crappy Bolognese sauce you would find in supermarkets are probably bad for you.
Actual Italian pizza, with quality ingredients, and proper pasta made with homemade traditional sauces are great, healthy meals. Eaten in moderation of course, like anything else.

 

[big_z]

sad to see Canada so high up there but im not surprised since i see mover scooters now and then while shopping. something you basically never saw until the last 5 years or so.

How is Italy so low on the list?!? They eat unimaginable amounts of pasta every day.

they eat healthier and carbs are not a bad thing. they're only bad to those on diet fads.

 

[Hoo-doo]

Crazy how pasta and pizza are considered unhealthy food these days.
Yes, Domino pizza and pasta made with crappy Bolognese sauce you would find in supermarkets are probably bad for you.
Actual Italian pizza, with quality ingredients, and proper pasta made with homemade traditional sauces are great, healthy meals. Eaten in moderation of course, like anything else.

Yup. You'd be amazed at the amount of fresh vegetables that go in my pasta sauces. Thing is that it just doesn't come off the shelf like that so you have to learn how to prepare proper food.

Pizza is a different story, but it's perfectly possible to eat healthy pasta meals.

 

[Sgtpepper89]

Gonna be fun working with healthcare when everyone got diabetes and weighs a ton.

Im sure Trump will save you America

 

[Surface of Me]

I'm still overweight, but it is a helluva lot better than being obese still. It is a hard hole to get yourself out of, and keep out of after.

 

[HotHamBoy]

I'm fat but I tell you what, that's way too many fat people.

It is really hard not to be fat given the common American lifestyle filled with high fat/sugar/salt/carb foods of easy convenience and sedentary, passive activity. Soda was once a treat, now it's had with every meal.

I bet it was easier to find an attractive mate back in the day, most people don't look nearly as good over weight - and I include myself, of course. And clothes rarely look good.

 

[Mediking]

Ease of access to fast food and healthy food costing alot is the problem.

 

[HotHamBoy]

Ease of access to fast food and healthy food costing alot is the problem.

People eat constantly, mindlessly. We are bombarded with ads for food. We drive by places wafting cooking aromas. We see glowing beacons beckoning us. Shelves lined with shiny packaging.

Eating is a lifestyle. Eating is a drug. Eating is self-medication.

 

[Frost_Ace]

How is Italy so low on the list?!? They eat unimaginable amounts of pasta every day.

This pasta and bread are unhealty meme needs to end.

 

[Boem]

That's an insane number. And I was shocked when they talked about our 12% (Netherlands) on the radio this morning. Which is also shockingly high. Walking around you wouldn't think 1 in 10 people is obese.

It's important to remember that those numbers also include the elderly, and obesity numbers are often higher in that group. It can sometimes be healthy to be a bit heavier at an older age even (a big risk with older people is falling down and breaking something, and broken bones can be almost impossible to heal at an older age. Having a bit more fat protecting you can save some broken bones. Of course, clogging arteries and heart issues are an increasing issue as well at that age).

 

[PJV3]

Gonna be fun working with healthcare when everyone got diabetes and weighs a ton.

Im sure Trump will save you America

Middle age obesity is linked to dementia as well, I think it roughly doubles the risk if I remember correctly.

 

[travisbickle]

you dont have to be that fat to be considered obese

I'd assume you'd have to be pretty fat.

 

[Magic Mushroom]

The Dutch doing well. Must be all the healthy fats from raw herring.

 

[Hoo-doo]

I think it's a large part about eating out a lot.

This is purely anecdotal, but I always got the impression that americans eat out multiple times a week. That's crazy to me. Knowing how to prepare a proper meal at home is one of life's essential skills and it's crucial to staying healthy.

 

[G.ZZZ]

How is Italy so low on the list?!? They eat unimaginable amounts of pasta every day.

See post below for answer:

Its the diet. Yall eat crap.

 

[siddx]

Not surprising when you eat fast food trash every day.

I cringe at the thought of eating breakfast at McDonalds.

Eating at McDonald's isn't the problem. It's ordering a 2000 piece chicken nugget meal and a tub of fries. The cheap cost of the food encourages people to buy way too much of it. A burger every so often isn't going to hurt you.

 

[Lord Frieza]

I think it's a large part about eating out a lot.

This is purely anecdotal, but I always got the impression that americans eat out multiple times a week. That's crazy to me. Knowing how to prepare a proper meal at home is one of life's essential skills and it's crucial to staying healthy.

Multiple times a week? Try multiple times a day lol

 

[Forerunner]

People just have shit lifestyle choices. Their careers don’t require a lot of physical activity, they eat out too much, and they find every excuse in the book not to exercise.

 

[FStubbs]

I still think, as far as the US is concerned, this is the #1 culprit. I'm not sure how much it's used outside of the US but I wouldn't be surprised if it's being sneaked in.