I'm noticing something interesting as I watch a Mass from the Vatican on EWTN:

Those Europeans just look healthier. As I watch them perform various tasks during the Mass, I don't see the obesity and pasty complexions I so often see here. Nor do I see rail-thinness. I'm not seeing the slightly flushed look that may mean uncontrolled high blood pressure either. I've noticed the same thing whenever I encounter Europeans who are visiting here. Been noticing this for years. This wouldn't have anything to do with their health care system now would it? I'm just sayin'.

It has to do, more likely, with the fact that their diets are better (though with younger people, that is becoming less true), that they depend on automobiles less and walk more--thus getting outside and looking less pasty.

Health care can't do that much for you once you've led a sedentary life and consumed 30 years of Coca-Cola and french fries.

Millions of people Here in America can't get any dental care.

:eyes:

I had a blast. Amazing to travel in Europe if you can afford to.

GMOs are harmless, it's the RoundUp shit dumped on them that is dangerous. There was an article psoted here not too long ago saying that exposure to pesticides is associated with lower IQ. I thought "So THAT'S what's the matter with Kansas...".

At least the version of it they let me buy at Lowes is. The grass that grows in the cracks in my driveway think it's a growth hormone.

:rofl:

The Canadians and Europeans won't have it, do we want to be like them?

:sarcasm: :sarcasm: :sarcasm: :sarcasm: :sarcasm: :sarcasm: :sarcasm: :sarcasm: :sarcasm: :sarcasm: :sarcasm: :sarcasm: :sarcasm: :sarcasm: :sarcasm: :sarcasm: :sarcasm: :sarcasm: :sarcasm: :sarcasm: :sarcasm:

Pasty complexions is a Northern European thing. Plenty of Brits have pasty complexions.

Like we do her in all the majors town of California?

I am afraid we are becoming a 3rd world nation.

I can attest from personal experience. So does Tokyo, although they were more hidden.

work week of only three to four days and lots of vacation
respect at the work place and no involvement in wars

they don't like GM foods either

street in Victoria. All the clear complexions, rosy cheeks, bright eyes and healthy teeth of people who passed us by, the store clerks who attended us and the restaurant staff who waited on us. I never see that here in the USA. It seems like some well-fed and adorned people and too many pasty faced, tired looking people dragging themselves around.

The scene was a county fair of some sort probably in the Orlando area of Florida. Lots of crowd shots and it really jumped out at me: Not one single fat person to be seen anywhere.

You seldom see obesity or rail-thinness. Can't tell about their complexions because so many of the movies are in black and white, but they at least look to be of normal weight.

When the work of the day is done, they forget it. Some of them go, with wife and children, to a beer hall and sit quietly and genteelly drinking a mug or two of ale and listening to music; others walk the streets, others drive in the avenues; others assemble in the great ornamental squares in the early evening to enjoy the sight and the fragrance of flowers and to hear the military bands play--no European city being without its fine military music at eventide; and yet others of the populace sit in the open air in front of the refreshment houses and eat ices and drink mild beverages that could not harm a child. They go to bed moderately early, and sleep well. They are always quiet, always orderly, always cheerful, comfortable, and appreciative of life and its manifold blessings. One never sees a drunken man among them. The change that has come over our little party is surprising. Day by day we lose some of our restlessness and absorb some of the spirit of quietude and ease that is in the tranquil atmosphere about us and in the demeanor of the people. We grow wise apace. We begin to comprehend what life is for."

Mark Twain, "The Innocents Abroad", noticing much the same thing 150 years ago. Not that I think it's just that they have a better outlook on life, but I do think having things like health care and (in some countries) child care worries off the table goes a long way toward reducing the stress burden. I think their diet is a bit less junk-oriented too.

fattening unhealthy food is less expensive and far easier to prepare.

Europeans enjoy eating and take their time, Americans love fast food.

Europeans often walk far more than Americans, we drive.

cultures that think it's useful to spend time doing something other than making money for someone else. more vacation time. a social safety net that keeps people from losing hope...

Richard Wilkinson and Kate Pickett researched the impacts of equality or inequality in: The Spirit Level: Why Greater Equality Makes Societies Stronger, including obesity:






Wilkinson and Pickett devoted a chapter in the book to obesity. Much of their research is for the UK, which has experienced greater inequality since the Thatcher years; but, they make frequent reference to the US, which is the most unequal country in the developed world. I believe some DUers have stated: "The UK is the US of Europe."

For more information, check out the authors UK website: The Equality Trust or buy the book on Amazon or your local bookstore. It comes highly recommended.

they get more exercise.

do they daily shopping. They go shopping for their food daily. Their main course is around noon and at night its a light meal. My family do usual don't eat breakfast. They tease us about eating breakfast. Yep they walk ever where even though they have cars. They ususally take a drive on Sunday out of the city. During the week they walk to work or bike or take the bus. I know when I visit I walk allot. I always lose weight. The life style is wonderful. People don't seem to be rush like here in america. There is always some I thing to do and everyone of all ages participates. When I leave am always sad and look forward to the next visit. We get older and I have lost some uncles and aunts but we continue with my cousins and their families.

This was in the days of Communism and the U.S.S.R.

The girls in the Eastern European Communist countries did not look healthy. Their bones looked malformed. I am not a doctor.

The girls from the Western European democracies were far better formed.

I assume the difference was due to malnutrition in the East and good nutrition in the West.