What is Poland's view on obesity? How healthy, fit are Poles?

Hello my name is Brandon and I'm going to poland for nine months as an exchange student through the rotary club. Now I was just wondering what poland's view on obesity is? I'm from the united states and as most the world knows we are the fattest country in the world, and I was curious how poland looks at fat people and how they view obesity in general. And also how much into personal fitness revolves around polish life.

When I lived in Poland my family and friends were always shocked and disgusted when they saw obese people. I also always heard Poles make some mean, but funny comments when they fat people were around. I think most will get used to this sight as obesity rates in Poland are on the rise.

From my personal observations, I think more people in the US/canada exercise regularly than in Poland.

There will be always the US to beat the Poles to it.


Don't worry, it's a totally different lifestyle in Poland; you'll lose your extra weight.

True but also more people here need to. To compare, the French who were always thin due to drinking red wine with every dinner have started to become heavier but don't want to work to look good. "It appears to me that more people are sitting in cafes smoking cigarettes and drinking coffee than working out ... the French don't see fitness as a lifestyle," says American-born fitness consultant Fred Hoffman, who has lived in Paris for 21 years.

Only 5.4 percent of French people belonged to a health club in 2008, according to the International Health, Racquet and Sportsclub Association, compared with 9.5 percent for Italy, 11.9 percent for the United Kingdom and 16.6 percent for Spain.

reuters.com/article/2010/09/28/us-fitness-france-idUSTRE68R43R20100928

Here are some good hints:

wikihow.com/Live-Like-a-European

How to live like a European

:)

What?! Is this a joke?

Come on now.


Ah, and notice that Europeans have a different sense of humor!
;)

I see, I stopped reading once I saw the stinky statement I quoted earlier... :)

Not sure what Poland's view on obesity is, but judging from what Polish people in Canada say about obesity, it's looked upon as a cancer. There is a wide range of shock that people can be that negligent about the food they produce and subsequently consume. The term 'swinstwo' is used a lot.

Not to hijack this post, but I've always wondered what Poland's view on being 'skinny' is, especially since I'm living in North America for the past 21 years... Must be some shock too...

From my visits to Poland Id say there is the usual "middle aged spread" in some people but other than that I dont recall noticing any obesity issues amongst the under 40s. Certainly the immpresion I got was that Poles ,as a wide sweeping generalisation,are less likely to be obese than us Britons,and we are generally less obese than people in the US so...I dont know about any specific nastyness about it,other than that I suppose you can hear anywhere in the world from some judgmental people.

Oh yeah,lots of walking,Poles still dont live all day in their cars or their lounge chairs,though tbh formal gym membership is probably low,and probably lower than the stats. I know my mates who join a gym in January go for a couple of weeks every 2 days,then after a month or so dont go again,still officially members of the gym though....

The women are slim and the men are fat. A generalisation, but some truth in it. When I first moved there, I remember being shocked to see couples in restaurants with the man eating a huge meal and the woman just sipping bottled water.

I have noticed that overweight people do seem to treated with a little more rupugnance than should be acceptable. It seems to be strongly linked with lack of discipline - which of course can be true but a bit too much of a military type mindset for me.

Having said that, wasn't there a thread linking to WHO figures on obesity a while back? Poles are no better than many others - and worse than some.


Meanness? Can't be right...

yes in terms of obesity among people over age of 50.

Generally young Poles are mostly slim (but not fit). It changes gradually so many children in Poland are overweight now.


Poles are not used to see extreme obesity examples. But slight obesity is nothing extraordinary and I never heard anybody commenting it.

superkill some people on this board obviously tries top scare you but no one will tease if you're overweight. 17 years old are not likely to bully anyone - they are not 15 year old! Unless you will hanging around with some chavs... but I doubt such people might participate in student exchange programme.

Yes, maybe.

Maybe those idiotic French should offer the same attractions as US gyms offer:

Wise people : )

They forgot to mention that every singe day of the life of an European is full of hearts, rainbows and wonderful surprises...:)

I've heard that the French lack many obese people because both snacking in between meals and taking second helpings during meals are considered taboo. An interesting historical precedent for developing a svelte society is found in the Spartan Constitution devised by Lycurgus. He made citizens eat their meals together in communal dining halls and thus eliminated gluttony because no one wished to be seen acting like a pig in full view of their neighbors.

Smart people you';re supposed to eat often but the right proportions. Once people in Poland will be able to afford going to a fast food joint daily there will be more overweight people it's bound to happen. Here in the States they say eating healthy is becoming a luxury, that's bs that's just being lazy. One can buy him/herself a George Foreman grill for instance and grill some chicken breasts or a Salmon, cook some veggies in just a few minutes.

Many do.

Polish society as a whole still hasn't yet reconciled the problem of eating as much as you can get because there are supply issues and being able to buy as much as you can afford. And the long cold winters are no time for salads.

That's human survival instinct to eat as much as possible and store it (fat, protein) in the body for later. That's when self control comes into play.

Quite. And it was a reality for many people in Europe (not just in PL) when the shops were empty. What's important is a change in habits when you've got everything at your fingertips.

As a newcomer to PL a few years ago I was appalled to see people (always men) eating in the aisles of supermarkets and taking the empty packaging to the check-out.

LOL. Yes, Americans are constantly preparing to an apocalypse.

Fast food is for poor people; this has not happened in Poland yet as it is still a novelty and the choice is limited. You kebab eaters know what I mean.


In a basic French meal it is not taboo to get seconds; it is unnecessary, since the meal consits of a few courses. If still hungry, you always have a chance to stuff yourself with cheese at the end of the meal. Anyway, the French are some light years ahead of the rest of us Europeans in understanding what cooking and eating is all about.

upper middle class and upper class Americans don't do that, they take it 1 meal at a time, eat something off the grill or eat out at a nice restaurant, exercise. It's mostly the lower classes who've experienced hunger and don't know if a few days from now they'll have enough to eat that are raised like that, to stuff themselves with food.


Exactly once there's a McDonald's or a Kebab shop on every corner things will change.

There is. Pizzas too.


Whereas those of us who are closer see MacD's full every day. I remember when there were maybe ten around town. Now there are at least 60.


60 MacD's and many many others. Compares pretty well with any city the same size in Europe.


I think, if you came to visit, you'd find things have changed very quickly. I invite you to Poland.


In the country which is home to MacD's.


And thousands of small takeaways in Warsaw, plus all the main chains that have a presence in Europe. So your comment, as usual, is worthless.

Again, I invite you to Poland to have a look. You might like it.

You don't need to invite me I am Polish and I know Poland is.

You certainly don't know much about the place, and Pennsylvania isn't just to the north of Szmulki.
I invite you to my city.

So? It's the USA. That's why people are fat. Maybe you should think of reducing this number, instead of being proud of it.


LOL

That "place" is my country, i've been to Warsaw many times.


I think it you who doesn't know where Pennsylvania is, i never said it was.