adding to JerseyGirl's comment on the size of clothing...my client had a picnic and there were order forms for a picnic t-shirt. the sizes on the order form ranged from Adult S to 4XL! who wears 4XL?? i got a Kids L and even that was huge...felt like it was an Adult L...i can't even imagine what an Adult 4XL looks like!

 

 

I've lived in Vancouver my whole life and I've never noticed a weight problem here. Of course there are people who are on the heavier side, and those who are on the obese end. On the whole though, I would say that Vancouver/BC in general is a slim place. I'm also attributing it to the fact that we are close to both the water and the mountains, so a lot of people are into sports and outdoor activities.

Since I'm so close to the US border, friends and I often go down to Seattle, and it's really noticable in the food, the way the portion sizes differ. Your normal bag of chips are larger, there are extra large portions in everything, and the restaurant meals seem a lot larger than what one person could normally eat.

I remember going to a restaurant in downtown seattle with my best friend (I forget the name now), ordered some pasta and when I was done, it hadn't looked like I even touched it. The waiter came by and asked me if something was wrong with the food.

Portion control???? Some of the food is enough to last most people for a few days, and yet you see them polishing it off in one sitting. It's pretty crazy, not to mention really unhealthy for your body.

 

Some of the 300+ pound people have to eat almost 4000 calories per day to SUSTAIN their weight. If they went down to a normal diet they would lose weight.

I used to be big. borderline obese, but definitely overweight. 6' 235 pounds. Now I'm at 178, a loss of 55 pounds. How did I lose it? Eating and running and lifting. It was hard, but not THAT hard. It was a gradual process, but I'm very happy with the way I look now. I've kept that weight off 10 years now, too.

I know almost every big person wants to be smaller. That first week of lifestyle change is hard, and in this instant-gratification culture, they look for a shortcut. Their desperation overshadows their common-sense and they go out and buy these (sometimes deadly) diet pills. I kinda feel sorry for them because I've been in their shoes. You're ridiculed publicly and you envy everyone else. Social lives suffer, too and that forms a negative self-opinion. Even after losing weight, it takes time to build that back, too.

 

It's not just Vancouver that is a "skinny" city. Canada for a large part has a smaller percentage of grossly overweight people than America. I too have noticed that when I head into the states, the portions are much larger, and food is much unheathier (ie. fried, smothered in gravy).
Now, I know that this doesn't apply to all of Canada, or all of America. Canada certainly has it's share of overweight people, and America certainly has it's share of good-looking, in-shape people. But you've got to remember, America is the home of the supersize... and that sure-as-shit isn't healthy.

As far as Vancouver being healthy, I think it's because they have a lifestyle that revolves around healthy living and eating. For example, Vancouver has:
- Large Asian poplulation. Many Asians tend to eat healthier than North Americans (Sushi vs. Big Mac)
- Large Artsy/Hippie population. You will find many Farmer's Markets, Health Food/Granola stores, etc.
- Many outdoor activities. People love to walk around the city, go jogging, go skiing, etc.

 

Obesity was one of the biggest differences I noticed in NE Ohio when I moved out here from Northern California. I remember when I first moved out here I heard a radio station claiming Cleveland was the 3rd most obese city in the U.S.

Recently I heard another report that Cleveland was still in the top 10 most obese cities in the U.S. Part of the reason is I think that the lifestyle is a lot less helath conscious than other areas. There are not only a lot more variety of cuisines to choose from in California but also more healthy alternatives.

Living out here there is an abundance of meat and potatoes types of restaurants. Anything from steak houses, hamburger chains, and fast food are available all around the area.

I also think there's at least some sort of correlation (Lousiana excempt) between warmer climates equal more health conscious communities. I find places where people in warmer climates where less layers of clothes and therefore are significantly more conscious of the way they look.

Meanwhile in the midwest, when winter strikes everybody is bundled up in layer upon layer of clothes, jackets, parkas, and who is gonna see how fit you are with a michelin man down parka on?

 

I agree with this, but how would you explain Canada? We are generally colder than you guys but not any more obese?

 

I don't buy into that theory too much. I spent enough years wrapped up in parkas to know you can still tell who's in shape and who isn't, even when they're dressed like the stay-puft marshmellow man.

Several of the surveys/studies I've seen have pegged San Antonio, Houston, and various other parts of the deep south as "leaders" in obesity.

 

[QUOTE=steven975,Oct 15 2004, 10:43 AM] Some of the 300+ pound people have to eat almost 4000 calories per day to SUSTAIN their weight.

 

Most places I've been in Europe, the people are noticibly thinner.

It's really easy to explain why the US population is overweight, compare us to almost any animal......put food in front of us, we'll eat it. All of it. "Clear up that plate now, ya hear?" Most people have been told that growing up by one relative or another.

Everywhere we go, we're surrounded by quick, easy to get food that's rarely healthy. Drive throughs, microwaves, biggie sized, frys with that, it's the American way!

Time for a few hot dogs now.