Irish men rank first in Europe for BMI

MightyMandarin wrote: »

It's 100% down to our traditonal diet and lack of people playing sport past their 20's and 30's.

It's somewhat down to our societal habits but at the end of the day people are in control of themselves and should stop eating their way to an early death.

I'd rather die fat and happy rather than skinny and miserable.

I was speaking of myself. I wasn't casting aspersions on anyone else.

ken wrote: »

I'd rather die fat and happy rather than skinny and miserable.

This is unlikely though, bigger chance fat people will live out their last days barely functional.

BlibBlab wrote: »

This is unlikely though, bigger chance fat people will live out their last days barely functional.

Calm down Gwyneth. They're fat not suffering from some devastating disease.

BMI is a load of bollocks.

I'm 6 foot and around 185/190 lbs and according to BMI I am over weight.

I play rugby and soccer all the time and go to the gym etc.

BMI is probably only useful if you don't exercise.

HOWEVER, a lot Irish people have f*cking diabolical diets and attitudes to exercise.

In Limerick for example, if you want to go get some take out food, about 75% of places are kebab/pizza places! There is 6 of these alone in the Cornmarket!

We need more education earlier on in life about diet and exercise and make it fun or enjoyable for them. (Don't make a kid play soccer if they prefer running or something, give them options!)

In Canada, I noticed that people would say, for example : "Oh you really gotta try sushi, it's the best!".

Here, if you get a pizza with anything other than meat on it, then you are a weirdo. (Don't get me wrong, I used to do that too :P)

I find that Irish people make fun of others who don't eat the same as or drink the same as them. That's a massive issue, and it all starts with learning from a young age.

We've come from being the skinniest in western Europe (granted, half starved) to where we are today.

I wonder if there is an element of the Irish psyche that causes us to want to take advantage in times of plenty, given where we've come from?

Also, there is far too much convenience in our diets these days. If you go to other countries, you don't see the same proliferation of Spar/Centra/Londis type stores on every corner, making that casual bar of chocolate/can of coke/packet of crisps ever so easy to devour without thinking while waiting for the bus.

Also, far too many people lack fundamental cooking skills. I say a modernized version of home economics should be taught to all 2nd level students, and not only available in girls schools as is often the case.

Did anyone see the programme on chicken production on RTE the other evening? It had a particular focus on the Irish Classic, the Chicken Fillet Roll, and how it can be made so cheaply. Turns out the chicken "fillet" is made with reconstituted chicken innards, and then bulked out with filling agents and flavorings, and that a bread roll contains as much as 4/5 slices of bread. Disgusting.

This post has been deleted.