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Arrived home on saturday night from my first trip to the US.................Im Irish just so you know!!! I had a fantastic time but there was one thing that caught me off guard the level of obesity it really shocked me and what shocked me even more was the fact that it seemed to be accepted????

Now dont get me wrong, obesity levels in europe are at an all time high and its not like im saying there are no extremely over weight people in Ireland the Uk etc

But what shocked me was number one the all you can eat buffets, free refills of fizzy drinks (but not water), Giant pretzels, HUGE portions as in enough for two people in one main course, everything including the people seemed to be bigger??(like all the same how wud be it possible to be thin with all these options??)

We visited theme parks and we donned comfy shoes and walked.......as in used out legs......I hate to be cheeky but the amount of people using like motorised scooters was crazy, now again dont get me wrong if you had a broken leg etc.. or had a serious condition etc I can understand the use of these scooters but most of the people we saw wer just extremely over weight and the gentle walk around the parks would have burned some calories but yet they sat there in the scooters beeping at anyone walking to get out of there way and eating giant pretzels etc.........

Yet no one else seemed to be the least bit shocked at some one driving a scooter onto a bus and parking it in the disabled zone yet then proceeding to get up and walk to find a seat unaided????? Like to me the reason for disabled areas is to try and make life easier for those with wat I would call genuine disabilities and who would need assistance to stand up from there wheelchair if they could stand up at all.......Not for in my opinion some lazy ass person who just doesnt want to walk and who instead opts for the easy route out by travelling on a motorised scooter...........hummmm I dunno???

Now im no skinny minny myself, at 5'6 and 152lbs im by no means the perfect weight but my gosh........Im just shocked at the american lifestyle i really am, like over here when you get to sort of a size 16uk(not sure what that is in us sizes) but it starts to become tough to find clothes to fit you need to shop in larger chain stores in like bigger cities......but in the US to me the bigger sizes were so very available and also were so accepted I dunno I dont mean to offend anyone but im sure I will but I just cant understand it........

Ok ending my rant now really sorry if I have offended anyone but If you could maybe try help me to understand it I would be thankful.

Original Post by alibuch:

I didn't even mention Disney World. Aside from .some beaches, a bunch of old folks, retirement communities and Disney World I don't see much in Florida. Oh... you've got Miami. haha

I've been to Florida. I just don't see it as a worthwhile place to visit

um, obviously you're kind of living under a rock. if you ever took the time to venture OFF the beaten path, you would discover the incredible natural wonder of the Everglades - it's like a whole 'nother WORLD out there - a biologists dream.  Not to mention the Florida Keys, the camping, fishing, ST. AUGUSTINE.

I'm an American living in Japan, and whenever I go home, I have reverse culture shock from how fat (and sloppy) everyone looks.

I used to be 100 lbs over my ideal weight, but even then I was not all that big for an American...

Original Post by alibuch:

I didn't even mention Disney World. Aside from .some beaches, a bunch of old folks, retirement communities and Disney World I don't see much in Florida. Oh... you've got Miami. haha

I've been to Florida. I just don't see it as a worthwhile place to visit

Having lived in Miami for 4 years, I have to agree with you.  The biggest "hill" is a landfill called "Mt. Trashmore", nobody speaks English in Miami, it's hot as hell almost year-round, the "natural beauty" of the Everglades consists of an endless flat plain of GRASS, with a bunch of mosquitoes, fish, and alligators.  The people are mean and the traffic is nuts.  Don't miss it a bit...

Its interesting to hear a visitor's perspective on this issue!

I've been taking notice of how large people are getting... I was recently away for the weekend and went whitewater rafting.  Of our group of 50 people on the rafting tour, I'd say 30 were quite overweight.  It was really strange.  Even more strange that I noticed, I thought at the time.

Its also becoming more apparent that being overweight is becoming more accepted as mainstream or typical.  I was out shopping the other day and was shocked that at the very front of the store (where they usually place the Juniors' section to attract the teenage shoppers) was the plus-size section!  Typically you had to make your way to the very back of the store to get to the plus-size or 'womens' section.  That was shocking to me.

udokier, comments like "how fat (and sloppy) everyone looks" are are ignorant generalizations and make me think you're better off to stay in Japan. Many of the fashion trends start here in NYC and are hardly fat and sloppy.  One of the great things about being American is our individualism.  Comments like the one you made, lump everyone together and are simply not true.  If you do some research with the CDC you will also learn that most Americans are not 100 lbs. overweight- you were grossly obese and hardly typical of the average American.

I was born and raised in the USA, however have dual citizenship and spend a lot of time in Italy and the European Union...and every time I come back I like you am shocked somehow by the large size of everything that surronds me....

partly it is our culture which is just based on the "bigger is better" mentality, but some of it definately can and SHOULD be changed, it just isn't healthy or appealing....

I think the obesity issues in the U.S. are unique to our culture as well. Unlike most parts of the world, that have a rather homogenous culture, America is a very diverse nation with a variety of cultures and people represented from most parts of the world.  It is therefore, more difficult to address obesity and one size certainly does not fit all.

Education will be key and there are several new strategies to deal with this.  Many cities, like NYC, have implemented laws requiring calorie counts be posted on menus at chain restaurants.  Of course this is not happening without a fight from restaurants so the process is slow.  There is an increasing awareness about obesity in America and a big campaign to address it.  We are just starting to see the initial push, but it's quickly becoming the next social issue to be addressed. 

Original Post by luzd:

udokier, comments like "how fat (and sloppy) everyone looks" are are ignorant generalizations and make me think you're better off to stay in Japan. Many of the fashion trends start here in NYC and are hardly fat and sloppy. One of the great things about being American is our individualism. Comments like the one you made, lump everyone together and are simply not true. If you do some research with the CDC you will also learn that most Americans are not 100 lbs. overweight- you were grossly obese and hardly typical of the average American.

Generalizations exist because there is truth in them. But that's what they are, generalizations. If I meant to say "All Americans are fat and sloppy", that's what I would have said. Sure there are trim, fit, stylish people in every city, but that is not the norm. And Manhattan is about as far from the norm in America as you can get in just about every way. Manhattan is richer, better-educated, more cosmopolitan, etc. than just about anywhere.

But the fact is that there are huge swaths of America where it is perfectly socially acceptable to be extremely overweight, and to leave the house in crocs and a pink sweatshirt covered with a neon spatter-paint "design" (or even worse, one of those holiday-themed ones)

I'm quite content to be in Japan, thanks - the quality of life here is excellent, and the cost of living outside of Tokyo is surprisingly low.

My culture shock was after living here for several years - I went back to the states, and was taken aback at the Portland airport. The people just all seemed to take no pride in their appearance, and the Wendy's! I eat at Wendy's here in Japan every now and then, and it is SPOTLESS. The servers are polite, and the burgers, well, at least they are better than McDonalds. But the one in the Portland airport, Ugh. The servers were surly and sloppy, and the condiment bar was covered with mess of ketchup, salt, whatever - it looked like it hadn't been wiped up all day, same for most of the tables.

Hell, there was a Burger King I went to off the highway in Texas once on a long trip, and there was a big pool of PUKE In the middle of the dining area. No employee seemed interested in cleaning it up, and unbelievably there were actually a couple of people EATING in the vicinity. We left and looked for another place to eat.

Yes, not every place is like that, but there are a lot of gross places. A place like that simply could not stay in business in Japan. Most places here are immaculate

That sad thing is, I don't think America was always as degraded as it has become. When I was as kid, people dressed nicer.

By the way, at my height, I was not considered "grossly obese" (there is no such thing), although was I approaching being morbidly obese. Of course that was a "rock bottom" moment for me. I have not been that heavy for most of my life. Not that that really matters. I'm very glad I was able to change my habits, and hope more people will. As for "most Americans", from what I have read, 60% of Americans are overweight, and 30% are obese. That is nothing to brag about...

udokier, I'm not going to continue to debate the semantics of "everyone" or "all."  I would also hope that you would know enough not to compare the average American with a person in the  Portland airport or any other for that matter. 

Also, I'm well aware that there are people out there that are considered unkept.  I was simply stating that I think it's rude to say that everyone looks fat and sloppy.  It's offensive if you happen to be someone living in the country that's being dissed. 

My comment about 100lbs. being grossly obese, was intended to give you back some of what you were so readily dishing out.  Not intended to be a politically correct term for those morbidly obese. 

So since it's difficult to look fit and well dressed at 100lbs. overweight you must understand first hand how it feels to have folks bash your appearance. Since we both have a right to our own opinions my thought is that you are a hypocrite with a holier than thou attitude now that you've lost the weight.  Oops, but you no longer live in a glass house.

um, obviously you're kind of living under a rock

I definitely don't. Thanks though.

And luzd-- There are LOADS of overweight Americans. There are loads of sloppy Americans. And if were to pick a city for the most "average" Americans what would you pick? The "average" American is overweight so I'm not sure why you think udokier's observation was so off. Travel a bit and you'll see that on average, Americans are sloppy dressers in comparison to most places...


So since it's difficult to look fit and well dressed at 100lbs. overweight you must understand first hand how it feels to have folks bash your appearance.

I disagree with this. Of course you won't look fit at 100lbs overweight but you can dress nice. I'm fat and I always look presentable when I leave the house. I have plenty of nice clothes so I can look 'well-dressed". You can be dressed nicely at any size... many people just choose sweatpants.

Original Post by luzd:

Also, I'm well aware that there are people out there that are considered unkept. I was simply stating that I think it's rude to say that everyone looks fat and sloppy. It's offensive if you happen to be someone living in the country that's being dissed.

I live in America and don't find anything offensive about what udokier said.  It's true.  Many Americans are very fat and sloppy.  I should know, I can be one of them :p

Original Post by udokier:

I'm an American living in Japan, and whenever I go home, I have reverse culture shock from how fat (and sloppy) everyone looks.

I used to be 100 lbs over my ideal weight, but even then I was not all that big for an American...

 I'm pretty sure 100 lbs over weight is big for an American. I think 60% of our population is overweight, but I don't think the majority is obese...

I could very well be wrong on this.

Original Post by alibsam:

um, obviously you're kind of living under a rock

I definitely don't. Thanks though.

Then don't generalize an entire state. ..this coming from someone who has lived in said state (florida) for twenty some-odd years.  Obviously, you have never been to and/or explored florida deeper than what the tourist industry would have you see.

 

edit: just to clairfy - i agree with the OP in that the U.S. is entirely too fat for its own good. but, in all fairness, i do not think florida is any worse than the other 50 states. florida has a lot more to offer than mickey mouse and old people.

Congrats to you. I find nothing about Florida worthy of an international vacation. I know about the Everglades. Big deal. It's like me saying that Ohio is an awesome vacation destination.

i'm amazed that this debate has lasted so long.  anyone from outside the states who's ever visited can't help but notice the number of big people, and anyone from the states who's ever left for any length of time must see it when they go home.  it's hard to miss. 

Original Post by alibsam:

Congrats to you. I find nothing about Florida worthy of an international vacation. I know about the Everglades. Big deal. It's like me saying that Ohio is an awesome vacation destination.

well then i feel bad for you having to live your life so close minded. good luck and good riddance.

I'm close-minded because I don't like Florida? haha Sorry I get more enjoyment out of international travel than going to Florida. *tears*

luzd, the entire northeast is very different from the rest of the united states. i haven't really spent much time outside of it, but when i watch the news and movies and such, it's very obvious.

Original Post by luzd:

udokier, I'm not going to continue to debate the semantics of "everyone" or "all." I would also hope that you would know enough not to compare the average American with a person in the Portland airport or any other for that matter.

Also, I'm well aware that there are people out there that are considered unkept. I was simply stating that I think it's rude to say that everyone looks fat and sloppy. It's offensive if you happen to be someone living in the country that's being dissed.

My comment about 100lbs. being grossly obese, was intended to give you back some of what you were so readily dishing out. Not intended to be a politically correct term for those morbidly obese.

So since it's difficult to look fit and well dressed at 100lbs. overweight you must understand first hand how it feels to have folks bash your appearance. Since we both have a right to our own opinions my thought is that you are a hypocrite with a holier than thou attitude now that you've lost the weight. Oops, but you no longer live in a glass house.

A. Since I am an American, grew up there, and will probably live there again someday, I think I have as much right as anyone to "generalize" about the state of my home country.  If your reaction is defensiveness and hostility, that's your problem.  When I hear the same kinds of generalizations from countless Asians and Europeans who have visited the States, my reaction is not defensiveness, but rather sadness that our culture has become so degraded, and yes, in becoming seriously overweight, I participated in that.  I'm not mad or hurt that you bring it up.  Nobody every bashed my appearance.  I wish someone had said something to me sooner, because I really needed an intervention.  But I was not in a mental state to listen to anyone then anyway.

I don't consider myself "cured", though.  Maintaining is just as hard as losing. But I don't think the fact that I personally was a mess means that we should all look the other way about the fact that most of the country is becoming a mess.  And that applies to not just our fitness, but our personal debt levels, spending habits, consumption of energy and resources, treatment of the environment, etc.

We need to do do better personally (losing weight was a part of that effort for me) and start expecting better of our neighbors as well.  If that makes me a hypocrite and Holier than thou, so be it. 

You can say that what I'm saying is not constructive, but then how constructive is it to act like there isn't even a societal problem there?

Original Post by jblarghp:

Original Post by udokier:

I'm an American living in Japan, and whenever I go home, I have reverse culture shock from how fat (and sloppy) everyone looks.

I used to be 100 lbs over my ideal weight, but even then I was not all that big for an American...

I'm pretty sure 100 lbs over weight is big for an American. I think 60% of our population is overweight, but I don't think the majority is obese...

I could very well be wrong on this.

I should have qualified that I am 6'2".  100 lbs overweight is big for me, but not as big as 100 extra lbs on somebody 5'6".  Not that being as big as I was was okay or anything...