oldguy Posted July 11, 2011 Share Posted July 11, 2011 I honestly think it has got a lot worse since the opening of lots and lots of McDonalds and other fast food places. I'm old enough to remember when the first McDonalds opened in my town. These places always seem to contain people who are eating...at all kinds of hours. Plus there has been a burgeoning of supermarkets. The population in my town hasn't expanded sufficiently to justify the increase in all these food outlets. The only explanation I can think of is that there are people eating 3 or 4 times the amount that they used to eat. Ironically, our ideal in the UK tends to be of the waif-like figure (as in Kate Moss) rather than a more healthy looking type. I watched this show called "Britain's Next Top Model" last year...and the girl the judges really liked was evidently very underweight. As a contrast, I watched the Australian version of the show....and the difference in attitudes was astounding. The emphasis was on health rather than on getting these girls into a pin thin shape. Yet I'm pretty sure that there is far less of a weight problem in Australia. I think that in a culture where an underweight look is prized, the ironic consequence is that there will end up being more women who are seriously overweight. Once people get into the business of eating disorders, that's what tends to happen. Food obsessions develop. Some will develop anorexia, others will binge and purge....others still will simply binge. In the U.S. too, there is a big difference in attitudes depending on the region your in. I know I mentioned this in another post, I had always been at least semi athletic & in pretty good shape until a little more than 5 years ago & because of a lifestyle change I gained nearly 50 pounds but just by going back to eliminating fast foods & 'white' starches including sugars, and of course becoming more active again I've lost a little more than the original 50 pounds but most of it was just making better nutritional choices. But it's not easy because 'junk' foods are so much more available. Link to post Share on other sites
Chocolat Posted July 11, 2011 Share Posted July 11, 2011 That's because Americans (most of whom are overweight by definition) accuse anyone who has a normal body type of being "sickly-looking" in an effort to rationalize their own fatness. They'd point out a Victoria's Secret model and say that she looks like a bag of bones. True, dat. There are some women of 5 ft 4" who will look healthy enough at 112 pounds because they're small boned, not carrying much muscle and only a few pounds underweight for their height....but for a medium boned woman of that height who is physically active, 112 is going to be underweight. Here is a height weight chart. Based based on the chart you presented, a woman of 5'4" should weigh between 115 and 129 pounds. Link to post Share on other sites
Taramere Posted July 11, 2011 Share Posted July 11, 2011 I don't really see the UK as "Europe" but I guess I should have been specific that I was talking about the continent. The Brits are the second fattest nation on earth (after the Americans, of course) and you can't really compare them with other Europeans. 5'4/113 are perfectly normal stats for a woman who has good genes and leads a healthy lifestyle. Regardless of how many fat people there are in the UK, standards of what constitutes "slim" are pretty consistent throughout Europe. I'm viewed as being slim regardless of whether I'm in France, Spain or the UK. If you look at any healthy height/weight chart, you'll see that 113 is at the bottom of the healthy weight range for a woman of that height. Once again, that means that it's the minimum healthy weight for a small boned woman of that height. Those charts are devised by medical authorities. Why would you have greater knowledge than they do about what's healthy and what isn't? Even if you're a doctor (which I very much doubt) you would be going against the prevailing medical perspective in advocating this as being the correct weight for most 5 ft 4 women. Of course, it's probably not entirely your fault that you have this perspective of what is healthy. Far too many women lie about their weight, which skews people's perceptions of what a healthy woman of a given size should actually be. Link to post Share on other sites
Afishwithabike Posted July 11, 2011 Share Posted July 11, 2011 Female 5'4" 130 pounds Size 4 for business suits and small for casual clothes I've been as low as 115, but I looked too thin. I think 130-135 looks best on my frame. Link to post Share on other sites
TuffCookieX Posted July 11, 2011 Share Posted July 11, 2011 female 22 yrs 5'4" 108 lbs size 0/1 Are you gonna ask shoe and cup sizes too? Link to post Share on other sites
Taramere Posted July 11, 2011 Share Posted July 11, 2011 True, dat. Based based on the chart you presented, a woman of 5'4" should weigh between 115 and 129 pounds. It is pretty stringent in both directions. The National Health Service one allows more latitude (110 - 143). http://www.nhs.uk/Livewell/healthy-living/Pages/height-weight-chart.aspx Which pretty much correlates with this BMI calculator http://www.nhlbisupport.com/bmi/ This article talks about some of the problems of using BMI as a guide... http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/health-and-families/health-news/the-big-question-is-the-bmi-index-the-right-way-to-tell-what-our-weight-should-be-416858.html Measurements being a better way of judging, than scales alone (due to the significant difference muscle tone can make). Link to post Share on other sites
Feelsgoodman Posted July 11, 2011 Share Posted July 11, 2011 Regardless of how many fat people there are in the UK, standards of what constitutes "slim" are pretty consistent throughout Europe. I'm viewed as being slim regardless of whether I'm in France, Spain or the UK. You are so full of it. At 5'4, 134 lbs, you wouldn't even be considered average in France or Spain (or anywhere else in Europe for that matter), let alone 'slim'. European average for that height would be somewhere in the 115-125 lbs range. 'Slim' would be 110 lbs or less. Link to post Share on other sites
Emilia Posted July 11, 2011 Share Posted July 11, 2011 Female, 39, size 10 UK (but Hungarian originally), 9 stone that's about 126 pounds, 5'6". Small boned but fit, toned and healthy Link to post Share on other sites
oldguy Posted July 11, 2011 Share Posted July 11, 2011 Originally Posted by Feelsgoodman I don't really see the UK as "Europe" but I guess I should have been specific that I was talking about the continent. The Brits are the second fattest nation on earth (after the Americans, of course) and you can't really compare them with other Europeans. 5'4/113 are perfectly normal stats for a woman who has good genes and leads a healthy lifestyle. How about Germany & Greece, are they European? Because they come in the top fattest countries also. And if we want to be technical, the USA is actually 7th to 9th fattest depending on who you ask. And I'm not going to pick on Australia at all but someone mentioned they where thin, there not. The USA is approximately 74% overweight, Australia; almost 69%. That surprised me too. Nauru is number 1 at almost 95% over weight. I keep wanting to abbreviate over weight as OW but that is another post. Link to post Share on other sites
Taramere Posted July 11, 2011 Share Posted July 11, 2011 You are so full of it. At 5'4, 134 lbs, you wouldn't even be considered average in France or Spain (or anywhere else in Europe for that matter), let alone 'slim'. European average for that height would be somewhere in the 115-125 lbs range. 'Slim' would be 110 lbs or less. Got to love it when an American who's probably done a 5 day "Euro highlights" trip (if he's lucky) starts trying to be the expert on how things are in Europe. Link to post Share on other sites
oldguy Posted July 11, 2011 Share Posted July 11, 2011 Got to love it when an American who's probably done a 5 day "Euro highlights" trip (if he's lucky) starts trying to be the expert on how things are in Europe. Crap! I thought he was Euro, do I feel stupid. Link to post Share on other sites
Feelsgoodman Posted July 11, 2011 Share Posted July 11, 2011 Got to love it when an American who's probably done a 5 day "Euro highlights" trip (if he's lucky) starts trying to be the expert on how things are in Europe. Lots of assumptions; all incorrect. First, I'm not an American and second, my "Euro highlights" trip lasted 15 years, not 5 days. Thanks for playing. Link to post Share on other sites
Chocolat Posted July 11, 2011 Share Posted July 11, 2011 Got to love it when an American who's probably done a 5 day "Euro highlights" trip (if he's lucky) starts trying to be the expert on how things are in Europe. I lived in Europe (Geneva) for 7 years. I do think that, on average, Europeans are slimmer than their US counterparts. I also agree that there is an overall upward trend to weight everywhere in the world. I think that one of the big short-comings of all the various charts and methods is that they don't adjust for age. 5'4" and 135 might look fine at 25, when excess weight it still relatively firm, but add a couple of children and a decade or two and that same woman is likely to be quite overweight. Link to post Share on other sites
amethyste Posted July 11, 2011 Share Posted July 11, 2011 Sincerely, up to approx. one year ago, I thought people were just joking when they were saying that most of the people in US are over weight. Then I saw some statistics and I was shocked. When I visited England I used to say to my ex: "My ohhhh my... what an obese guy/ lady", and he was laughing and saying: "That's not even fat in US" (he's from TX). I once saw on TV that British women have the biggest boobs in the world - and I was like "Errrm...of course... can't you see how huge they are (the women)? :confused:". Anyway, I'm speaking generally. This thread would be better with pics. Orrrr, there should be another thread with pics I'm a F, 21 yr old. approx. 5'2 & 99 pounds. I lost 20 pounds accidentally a while ago, and now I'm trying to gain some of them back (around 10). My size is S/ M. Link to post Share on other sites
oldguy Posted July 11, 2011 Share Posted July 11, 2011 Crap! I thought he was Euro, do I feel stupid. Lots of assumptions; all incorrect. First, I'm not an American and second, my "Euro highlights" trip lasted 15 years, not 5 days. Thanks for playing. I'm so confused. I thought we where having a nice chat. I think I'm going to pick up my toys and go home if we can't get along. Link to post Share on other sites
Taramere Posted July 11, 2011 Share Posted July 11, 2011 Lots of assumptions; all incorrect. First, I'm not an American and second, my "Euro highlights" trip lasted 15 years, not 5 days. Thanks for playing. Average woman in France, the thinnest country in Europe, is 23.2. My BMI is 23. So I guess you're right about me not being exactly average in France. Just a tad below. http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-1173148/British-women-dont-mind-Europes-biggest-French-females-slimmest-worry-weight.html Maybe next time you take a 15 year Euro highlights trip, you'll remember to take off the rose tinted glasses. Link to post Share on other sites
Feelsgoodman Posted July 11, 2011 Share Posted July 11, 2011 Sincerely, up to approx. one year ago, I thought people were just joking when they were saying that most of the people in US are over weight. Then I saw some statistics and I was shocked. When I visited England I used to say to my ex: "My ohhhh my... what an obese guy/ lady", and he was laughing and saying: "That's not even fat in US" (he's from TX). I went to Myrtle Beach (a resort town in South Carolina) a couple of years ago, and it was quite literally a traumatizing experience. I'm not exaggerating when I say that 75% of all people I saw on the beach were not just overweight but downright obese. They looked like pigs that were fattened up for the slaughter...it was quite gross. The ethnic background didn't matter either: black, white, hispanic...even asians, who are generally known for being skinny, are fat in America. Link to post Share on other sites
amethyste Posted July 11, 2011 Share Posted July 11, 2011 I went to Myrtle Beach (a resort town in South Carolina) a couple of years ago, and it was quite literally a traumatizing experience. I'm not exaggerating when I say that 75% of all people I saw on the beach were not just overweight but downright obese. They looked like pigs that were fattened up for the slaughter...it was quite gross. The ethnic background didn't matter either: black, white, hispanic...even asians, who are generally known for being skinny, are fat in America. *covers your eyes* Link to post Share on other sites
oldguy Posted July 11, 2011 Share Posted July 11, 2011 I went to Myrtle Beach (a resort town in South Carolina) a couple of years ago, and it was quite literally a traumatizing experience. I'm not exaggerating when I say that 75% of all people I saw on the beach were not just overweight but downright obese. 75% is just what I said. The only thing you didn't say about Myrtle beach is, (I'm so sorry Canada), but most of that area is owned and largely populated by Canadian's. There called Snow Birds and they aren't even quite 62% over weight, but I guess they must pack on the extra pounds in order to blend:laugh: They looked like pigs that were fattened up for the slaughter...it was quite gross. The ethnic background didn't matter either: black, white, hispanic...even asians, who are generally known for being skinny, are fat in America. Oh thank God your not a racist:lmao: Link to post Share on other sites
little_bear Posted July 11, 2011 Share Posted July 11, 2011 I'm 27 5'7" 126lbs 34-26-38 size 4 Link to post Share on other sites
Dorie Posted July 11, 2011 Share Posted July 11, 2011 I don't really see the UK as "Europe" but I guess I should have been specific that I was talking about the continent. The Brits are the second fattest nation on earth (after the Americans, of course) and you can't really compare them with other Europeans. 5'4/113 are perfectly normal stats for a woman who has good genes and leads a healthy lifestyle. Who hurt you, Feelsgoodman? Was it your female nanny? An unloving mother? A less-than-supportive head mistress who poo-poo'd your macaroni on paper still life? I'm quite interested in what motivates your vitriol. Link to post Share on other sites
Knittress Posted July 11, 2011 Share Posted July 11, 2011 I doubt threads like this will be all that accurate, as it's going to self-select for people with are more pleased with their numbers. Me.. I'm pretty hot. ::rolls eyes:: LOL. Link to post Share on other sites
verhrzn Posted July 11, 2011 Share Posted July 11, 2011 I'm 26. 5' 1/2" I range anywhere from 120 to 125. Some days I'm 120, some days I'm 124. Dimensions are shoulders 40", bust 36", waist 32", hips 37". I felt okay about my proportions til I came onto this thread, haha. Surprising amount of skinny hourglasses round here... Link to post Share on other sites
Jannah Posted July 11, 2011 Share Posted July 11, 2011 Which one are you? Both look great, imo. Thanks. I thought my height stats would have given it away. (I'm in the dress) That is my older sister, she is the tiny/petite one. Link to post Share on other sites
nyc_guy2003 Posted July 11, 2011 Share Posted July 11, 2011 I ran some statistics on the information reported so far: WOMEN -- 30 reported age, 33 reported both height and weight Age Average = 32 Oldest = 50 Youngest = 20 Height Average = 5'5" Tallest = 6'0" Shortest = 4'11" Weight Average = 127 Heaviest = 168 Lightest = 90 BMI Average = 21.0 Highest = 28.0 (corresponding to 5'5" 168) Lowest = 15.8 (corresponding to 5'9" 107) 29 women, or 88%, fell into the "normal" range (below 25) 4 women, or 12%, fell into the "overweight" range (25-30) 0 women fell into the "obese" range (above 30) MEN -- 16 reported age, 19 reported both height and weight Age Average = 33 Oldest = 55 Youngest = 20 Height Average = 5'11" Tallest = 6'6" Shortest = 5'6" Weight Average = 180 Heaviest = 223 Lightest = 116 BMI Average = 25.3 Highest = 32.0 (corresponding to 5'10" 223) Lowest = 16.6 (corresponding to 5'10" 116) 7 men, or 37%, fell into the "normal" range (below 25) 11 men, or 58%, fell into the "overweight" range (25-30) 1 man, or 5%, fell into the "obese" range (above 30) Link to post Share on other sites
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