Thick
According to this Dutch article, “two thirds” of Americans are overweight… Yet another article, while agreeing that US obesity rates are on the rise, claims the percentage is “more than one in four adults”, with the highest rate at 32.5% (for Mississippi).
Apparently different standards for “overweight” and “obese” are used here, but unfortunately neither article mentions what they are. (Or, if you’re slightly paranoid, you might think that Dutch media enjoy portraying Americans negatively. :-)
In related news, I just got my Weight Loss Coach for Nintendo DS today. (Thanks Childy! ^_^)
John Cowan said,
July 1, 2009 @ 7:05 pm
In the U.S., the National Institutes of Health define overweight as a body mass index (approximately mass in kg divided by height in m^2) between 25 (inclusive) and 30 (exclusive). A BMI of 30 or more constitutes obesity. BMI calculator here.
Benjamin Goodger said,
July 1, 2009 @ 7:34 pm
I believe that “Overweight” is defined as a Body Mass Index exceeding 25 kg/m² and “Obese” as >30 kg/m². On a normal distribution, the figures quoted then appear to make sense.
Nicole said,
July 1, 2009 @ 7:47 pm
Enjoy your gifts, Nowie!
As for thick, overweight, obese … they all = fat. We’re a lazy bunch and watching tv with one hand in the Cheetos bag is requires less effort than preparing a salad.
The most exercise that I get is when I jump up and down and try to get into the pants that fit last week.
I could review the obesity problem in greater detail but my ice cream is melting.
Someguy said,
July 1, 2009 @ 11:41 pm
When I worked in Australia, fending off ridiculous anti-Ameircan opinions and ‘facts’ was a nearly daily lunch-time sport. When Australian women statistically eclipsed American ones as the fattest I couldn’t help but rub it in. There’s so much invested in this image off ‘fat Americans’ that you have to wonder what other avenues Europeans and Australians have for their rabid jealousy…soccer?
Hans Nowak said,
July 1, 2009 @ 11:44 pm
[soccer]
Europeans, yes. Australians, not so much. ;-)