Does just immigrating to the USA lead to weight gain?

senecarr wrote: »

jgnatca wrote: »

I prefer world maps for looking at obesity world trends. It's visual. According to this map, we might ask what Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Chile, Argentina, and the US have in common.

http://www.targetmap.com/viewer.aspx?reportId=26403

The US however, shows a significant north/south statistical shift. The US is like two countries in one, and only some states have an obesity problem.

Interesting how much that map aligns with this map:

I am such a fan of you, Senecarr.

ninerbuff wrote: »

I was always outside from 1st grade to 12th grade. It's a rarity now to see many kids playing ball in the street, or having that basketball backboard on the house above the garage and everyone playing. People are a bit more paranoid about their kids playing outside I guess.

This really resonates with me. If there is one thing that makes me feel old, it is how every day I have to drag my kid outside. That's when the poor kiddo has to listen to Mom rant about "WHEN I WAS YOUR AGE" and how I spent every possible moment outside, usually riding my bike or running around or walking all over creation. I vividly remember having to touch the front porch by curfew and running full-speed from all the way across town, wishing that my Swatch watch could stop time, lol. That same hometown (just visited last week, it's a 5-hour drive from where I live now) is sadly no longer fit for kids to run around the way I was able to--there are definitely safety problems now, a lot more than when I was little.

Most days, I drive my son to a nearby park with a huge bike trail, and he rides around there and seems to enjoy it, but it is very rare to see other kids his age doing the same (he just turned 13.) Mostly it's a few parents with toddler-aged children at a playground. The park is beautiful and huge and well-kept, and almost always empty, unless there are weekend ballgames going on or an occasional team practicing.

I grew up before the age of the internet. Some of the things the internet changed are marvelous and wonderful, but some are not. My kid more often plays with his neighborhood friends online in Minecraft than out back in a huge communal yard. Sometimes my hubby tries to get them excited about playing with a kickball or baseball, or even a frisbee, etc., but their interest in it wanes so fast.

And I'm on the same page with everyone who has referenced portion sizes, the excessive sugar & salt in many processed foods and the constant inclination our culture has towards snacking. Most of my family (grandparents & great-grandparents) immigrated from Italy, which meant I grew up on a lot of food that was picked right out of our own gardens. Somewhere along the line (for my family) those traditions changed a lot. Been thinking a lot about this lately, and slowly introducing changes to my family, especially portion control, which has been a battle. I have noticed that when I get them to drink enough water though, that the portion thing is less of a problem.

When I lived in Germany, I was 47 pounds lighter than what I currently am. Then I moved back home to MI and blew up like a blobby balloon. In Germany, I walked everywhere every day. My dog was allowed EVERYWHERE, so she always came with me. Even out to bars. We don't do that kind of thing here in MI. SO I got fat. In July, I started walking to try to replicate the walking in Germany. It's probably nowhere near what I used to do, the high stairs, the up and down inclines, bridges, cathedral steps, but it's what I got!

Kimegatron wrote: »

And I actually like our portion sizes, because you get SO much for cheap! I always always take home food, and it can last me another 2 or so meals.

Yeah. My issue is that I don't mind guessing calories for one meal, but not for 2, so someone else typically has to eat my leftovers, lol.

Another point which I don't know has been brought up previously, but lack of "political correctness" outside the US. Just my personal observation, but I noticed that the rest of the world is far more blunt and direct and often considers PC statements insulting. For example when I put on weight and was at my heaviest my friends from Europe, Asia, and Africa would flat out say "You've gotten fat, are you ill?"

I have moved across the country 3 times and gained with each move. Part from tasting all the new local specialties. Part from missing the comfort of home. Relocating is hard.

enkiemonkey wrote: »

Hahahhaha maybe. All my euro friends gained weight once they moved to the states. It's just the portion sizes. Because in France the food is high calorie too - lots of bread and butter (omg but the bread yum) and cream sauces. Belgium has high cal food. German food just straight up sucks. Spanish food is also high calorie.

But honestly when I go to Europe (and I have family there too) everyone really just walks a lot more and eats smaller portions

Yeah it's what I'm thinking too. My diet was pretty awful in France and I still managed to gain a lot of weight when I moved here.

Kimegatron wrote: »

My dog was allowed EVERYWHERE, so she always came with me. Even out to bars. We don't do that kind of thing here in MI.

And that's a good thing. My face swells around dogs and who knows if it will be my throat next. (Yes I take daily meds, they don't prevent it.)