This is not a deliberately provocative post but a genuine question.
I only ask because it's a few years since I travelled to the US - but every single person I speak to who comes back from America always says the same thing.
" You will not believe how MANY incredibly overweight people you see. "
And it's not just those massively obese people you see on television shows but ordinary folk tucking into 3000 calories for lunch in Dennys.
Now,don't get me wrong there are an increasing number of really fat lard-buckets in the UK and we normally are about 5 years behind the US in most things.
But I just wondered if Americans coming over to Europe noticed if people were thinner or ate less or found smaller sized portions when they eat out at restaurants ?

Not everywhere. UK citizens are catching up with the US.

I haven't seen many obese Frenchmen.

There is variation even in the US. Lots of overweight people in Alabama. Fewer in Colorado.

Generalization is dangerous.

So, are you saying that five years ago people in the US were referring to others as "really fat lard-buckets"?

Yes, in Scandinavia especially. Not as much in the UK, as they're fast catching up with us (as BamaVol said).

I noticed in Tokyo people were much thinner than I was used to. A good friend of mine moved there and was about 25 lbs heavy when she did so. After a year, she lost it all.

...there are an increasing number of really fat lard-buckets in the UK...

That's nice.

I am extremely weight conscious (but still overweight :D ) and I notice the difference in size between the general u.s. population and that overseas. However, I think there are almost as many overweight Britons as there are americans.

Alas, since Big Macs and fatty, fried fast food is available everywhere from Calcutta to Caracas, I think it's only a matter of time before the rest of the world not only catches up with but supercedes the u.s. in terms of obesity. Remember, for all it's faults and inequities, the u.s. healthcare system is the best in the world and if the u.s. cannot control obesity, how can the onslaught of multinationals purveying poison wrapped in an irresistable package be defeated? :(

Yes.

Not so much that there are so many thin people. More that there are so few fat people.

" DiningBuzz! A forum for general restaurant and bar discussion."

This thread isn't.

Normally it would be moved to OMNI but since the OP isn't OMNI-qualified, per standard practice am closing.

cblaisd
Senior Moderator