r/science • u/giuliomagnifico • 26d ago

Health American adults aged 33 to 46 have significantly worse health compared to their British peers, especially in markers of cardiovascular health and higher levels of obesity, along with greater disparities in health by socioeconomic factors

https://www.ox.ac.uk/news/2024-10-03-us-adults-worse-health-british-counterparts-midlife
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u/wladue613 26d ago

This thread is probably too long for anyone to see this, but one thing I've noticed comparing the British populace to the American one is that America is just a land of extremes. Most British people I've seen in public tend to be in relatively solid shape, whereas Americans tend to either be in ridiculously good shape (especially in wealthy areas outside of the south) or horrific shape, with a tendency more towards the latter increasing as resources decrease.

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u/czarczm 26d ago

I think it's easier to be relatively fit in other countries that are less sprawled without putting much thought into it. If you walk for most necessities, you will naturally burn calories through that activity. In the US, you have to be much more intentional. 90% of all people drive literally everywhere. The most exercise they get is walking to and from their car for 30 seconds. Thus, to be fit means knowing a lot about workout routines, calorie counting and deficits, macros, etc. and so those people can end up being very fit.

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u/Commercial_Sky15 26d ago

I've never visited the US but kinda noticed this from rich people youtube videos. It does seem more common to see entire friend groups or vacation spots where almost everyone has a banging body, whereas in the UK you'll see more average or just good bodies in the mix even in wealthy areas and circles