Thread: Is obesity trending downward in the first world?

Even though "first world" is a bit of a charged and dated term, the point in using it here is as a criterion from a modern economic development standpoint, not to rank cultures. Apparently, obesity has risen considerably in recent decades in countries which have only fairly recently achieved postindustrial livelihoods for the majority of the population. So, I'm talking about countries where that process occurred many decades ago (and probably represents the vast majority demographic of this forum, anyway) like the United States, greater English-speaking world, and most of Europe.

Seems that the epidemic of obesity became truly pronounced in the 1980s-90s for many of these countries. So, relative to then, do you find that it is decreasing or getting worse? When I was a kid (and admittedly, I live in a state with some of the lowest-ranking metrics across the board) obese people were everywhere. It seemed like perhaps a majority of everyone above 30 years old was also approaching or above that same bodyfat percentage. My impression now is that it seems a little lower, at least where I live. Maybe the pressures of social media and more collective experience with the consequences of fast food, etc., have dampened the effects against when cheap, tasty and calorie dense foods first became ubiquitous. Also, Millennials as a generation just seem more health-conscious overall than Gen-X or Boomers, probably related to the previous assumption, but then maybe also in response to medical research about public health simply having reached deeper into public knowledge than before.

Even though there are official obesity rates, it seems like that data would have to be a lot of conjecture. With so many people lacking health insurance and regular doctor's visits in the first place, there's a sizeable group omitted from the pool of accurate, measured data. So I thought it would be a fun discussion but also to some extent necessarily anecdotal. Those of you who were already adults when obesity got really common in the US/UK, I'd be curious to know what your personal impression is.

Originally Posted by EliKoehn

Even though "first world" is a bit of a charged and dated term, the point in using it here is as a criterion from a modern economic development standpoint, not to rank cultures. Apparently, obesity has risen considerably in recent decades in countries which have only fairly recently achieved postindustrial livelihoods for the majority of the population. So, I'm talking about countries where that process occurred many decades ago (and probably represents the vast majority demographic of this forum, anyway) like the United States, greater English-speaking world, and most of Europe.

Seems that the epidemic of obesity became truly pronounced in the 1980s-90s for many of these countries. So, relative to then, do you find that it is decreasing or getting worse? When I was a kid (and admittedly, I live in a state with some of the lowest-ranking metrics across the board) obese people were everywhere. It seemed like perhaps a majority of everyone above 30 years old was also approaching or above that same bodyfat percentage. My impression now is that it seems a little lower, at least where I live. Maybe the pressures of social media and more collective experience with the consequences of fast food, etc., have dampened the effects against when cheap, tasty and calorie dense foods first became ubiquitous. Also, Millennials as a generation just seem more health-conscious overall than Gen-X or Boomers, probably related to the previous assumption, but then maybe also in response to medical research about public health simply having reached deeper into public knowledge than before.

Even though there are official obesity rates, it seems like that data would have to be a lot of conjecture. With so many people lacking health insurance and regular doctor's visits in the first place, there's a sizeable group omitted from the pool of accurate, measured data. So I thought it would be a fun discussion but also to some extent necessarily anecdotal. Those of you who were already adults when obesity got really common in the US/UK, I'd be curious to know what your personal impression is.

I dunno man, I seem to see more and more fat people every year....

Originally Posted by AdamWW

I dunno man, I seem to see more and more fat people every year....

covid lock downs made obesity and addiction go way up, not down

Originally Posted by Strawng

Nope. Quite the contrary: https://www.cdc.gov/media/releases/2...sity-rate.html
https://www.bmj.com/content/374/bmj.n2332

^^ Yes, real data is important. Maybe also a comparison of pics across cultures.

Anecdotally, every time I see American news (I mostly watch that because I'm American) most of the people look quite fat. In Thailand there are plenty of overweight people, too, but most people are slim or just slightly overweight. One difference could be eating habits: Thai people eat often, but each meal is smaller, like a snack. There's food every 5 steps, but it's things like grilled meat on a stick or noodle soup or curry on rice, not big heavy meals.

Also, the food has fewer additives and preservatives and things. Most of it is farm fresh, even the meat (*not* the seafood in the north!), although in recent years they've been adding growth hormones to meats and dairy.

Also, dishes served in restaurants are small, and big dishes are shared between people. You won't get 2 pounds of food served to one person, they'll share that between 3 people.

Originally Posted by ECGordyn

^^ Yes, real data is important. Maybe also a comparison of pics across cultures.

Anecdotally, every time I see American news (I mostly watch that because I'm American) most of the people look quite fat. In Thailand there are plenty of overweight people, too, but most people are slim or just slightly overweight. One difference could be eating habits: Thai people eat often, but each meal is smaller, like a snack. There's food every 5 steps, but it's things like grilled meat on a stick or noodle soup or curry on rice, not big heavy meals.

Also, the food has fewer additives and preservatives and things. Most of it is farm fresh, even the meat (*not* the seafood in the north!), although in recent years they've been adding growth hormones to meats and dairy.

Also, dishes served in restaurants are small, and big dishes are shared between people. You won't get 2 pounds of food served to one person, they'll share that between 3 people.

Nah they’re probably thin because they avoid exercise

No. Quite the opposite, especially in the US.

Originally Posted by AdamWW

Nah they’re probably thin because they avoid exercise

Actually, fitness is really popular here, even in rural towns. Gym, or cycling, or running. Also, many of the jobs are quite physically demanding: either farming or construction work with few machines.

I agree on the real data being important, and thanks Strawng for the citations, but as a serious question, where does the CDC get data on populations who don't or can't even regularly go the doctor or report their weight anywhere? No question, if anything it's probably under-reported, since the people in that category are more likely to be overweight anyway, but inasmuch as it's not an anecdotally-answered question, that's important to know.

Originally Posted by ECGordyn

^^ Yes, real data is important. Maybe also a comparison of pics across cultures.

Anecdotally, every time I see American news (I mostly watch that because I'm American) most of the people look quite fat. In Thailand there are plenty of overweight people, too, but most people are slim or just slightly overweight. One difference could be eating habits: Thai people eat often, but each meal is smaller, like a snack. There's food every 5 steps, but it's things like grilled meat on a stick or noodle soup or curry on rice, not big heavy meals.

Also, the food has fewer additives and preservatives and things. Most of it is farm fresh, even the meat (*not* the seafood in the north!), although in recent years they've been adding growth hormones to meats and dairy.

Also, dishes served in restaurants are small, and big dishes are shared between people. You won't get 2 pounds of food served to one person, they'll share that between 3 people.

Thanks for chiming in. When I typed most of the forum being represented I knew you were an exception with your firsthand familiarity with a non-western country. Do most Thais have fairly active lives out of necessity? I'd imagine in Bangkok or any of the other large cities, many of the same sedentary service jobs as you'd find commonly in the west prevail, but in the more rural parts of the country, do most people have to be fairly active just to maintain their livelihood, or is that more of a cultural trait even if it's not economically necessary?

EDIT: Didn't see your response to Adam until after I posted. Makes the question somewhat redundant.

Originally Posted by ECGordyn

Actually, fitness is really popular here, even in rural towns. Gym, or cycling, or running. Also, many of the jobs are quite physically demanding: either farming or construction work with few machines.

Was a joke dude

Originally Posted by EliKoehn

I agree on the real data being important, and thanks Strawng for the citations, but as a serious question, where does the CDC get data on populations who don't or can't even regularly go the doctor or report their weight anywhere? No question, if anything it's probably under-reported, since the people in that category are more likely to be overweight anyway, but inasmuch as it's not an anecdotally-answered question, that's important to know.



Thanks for chiming in. When I typed most of the forum being represented I knew you were an exception with your firsthand familiarity with a non-western country. Do most Thais have fairly active lives out of necessity? I'd imagine in Bangkok or any of the other large cities, many of the same sedentary service jobs as you'd find commonly in the west prevail, but in the more rural parts of the country, do most people have to be fairly active just to maintain their livelihood, or is that more of a cultural trait even if it's not economically necessary?

EDIT: Didn't see your response to Adam until after I posted. Makes the question somewhat redundant.

poor people I know honestly go to the doctor way more than rich people /well off people with private insurance who have deductibles and copays compared to Medicaid where it’s free for everything


Like me going and getting a bunch of test ran at the Er for a cough even after my 500 dollar a month insurance plan and meeting my yearly deductible of 5k I still am paying 20% of a 10,000-20,000 or more bill

Originally Posted by EliKoehn

Thanks for chiming in. When I typed most of the forum being represented I knew you were an exception with your firsthand familiarity with a non-western country. Do most Thais have fairly active lives out of necessity? I'd imagine in Bangkok or any of the other large cities, many of the same sedentary service jobs as you'd find commonly in the west prevail, but in the more rural parts of the country, do most people have to be fairly active just to maintain their livelihood, or is that more of a cultural trait even if it's not economically necessary?

Economic necessity and also cultural norms. Nearly every Thai family has a farm somewhere, small or big. Rubber trees, fruit, rice, vegetables, etc. There's not really "unemployment" because they'll always go back to work somewhere even if they lose their job in the city. Even if they don't make a salary working in grandpa's rice fields, they'll do it to be active and useful, get the social support, eat together and sleep under a roof. (At the end of the day, those are the most basic needs.) Laos nearby is very similar, and Myanmar is also in a similar economic tier though I've never been there. By contrast, Chinese people are often overweight and their economy is prosperous. Singapore's economy too though I've never met any Singaporeans.

Originally Posted by AdamWW

Was a joke dude

Humble apologies if I gave a genuine response, dude.

Originally Posted by ECGordyn

Economic necessity and also cultural norms. Nearly every Thai family has a farm somewhere, small or big. Rubber trees, fruit, rice, vegetables, etc. There's not really "unemployment" because they'll always go back to work somewhere even if they lose their job in the city. Even if they don't make a salary working in grandpa's rice fields, they'll do it to be active and useful, get the social support, eat together and sleep under a roof. (At the end of the day, those are the most basic needs.) Laos nearby is very similar, and Myanmar is also in a similar economic tier though I've never been there. By contrast, Chinese people are often overweight and their economy is prosperous. Singapore's economy too though I've never met any Singaporeans.



Humble apologies if I gave a genuine response, dude.

Interesting... Thanks.

More and more it's interesting to me how the legitimacy of most economic fears has to do with the ability to procure these necessities, yet in most of the rich world, actual economic health is indelibly tied to so many useless and superfluous demands and industries which do basically nothing for filling bellies or sheltering heads directly, even though the market as a whole ties these things together so that the one falls with the other...

Originally Posted by EliKoehn

Interesting... Thanks.

More and more it's interesting to me how the legitimacy of most economic fears has to do with the ability to procure these necessities, yet in most of the rich world, actual economic health is indelibly tied to so many useless and superfluous demands and industries which do basically nothing for filling bellies or sheltering heads directly, even though the market as a whole ties these things together so that the one falls with the other...

Yeah it's a characteristic of the modern world, that prosperity is tied to superfluity. Whether that's good or bad is hard to judge objectively. (We won't have advancement if we don't have some superfluity.) I'll give another anecdote I've seen here about end of life. Old people I've seen here seem so calm and clear, really peaceful, compared to some I knew back home who always seemed to complain about one thing or another, their past or the nursing home or the medicines or something. Recently met an old relative of my wife who looked like a skeleton, thinner than Gandhi, but gave off this vibe of total peace just sitting upstairs overlooking the mountains, fog, and rice fields. He sat on his cot on a wooden balcony and said a prayer for us and he sounded just like one of the temple monks. It was some characteristic of his mindframe or life experiences or whatever it's called. That was one of the cleanest feelings I've ever had around a very old or sick person, the simplicity of that man and peace.

Anyway, obesity...

Nope, definitely not! Was just at Walmart today

Obesity is getting worse.

Originally Posted by TolerantLactose

Obesity is getting worse.

The only trend i have noticed is that the bigger people get, the smaller their dogs get. I almost ran over this little speed bump on my bike today that was attached to a leash. I honestly thought it was a rat in a leash at first.

Originally Posted by TolerantLactose

Obesity is getting worse.

yup even in kids (see article chart below is adults)

https://www.npr.org/sections/health-...tary-lifestyle