Korean Job Discussion Forums

Gamecock · Joined: 26 Nov 2003

I've noticed there have been several threads about weight loss here, and being a little chunky myself I've gotten use to the candid comments from complete strangers here in Korea. I've noticed, however, that many of my elementary students are starting to come in plus sizes. With the influx of American fast food and the PC Bang culture, I'm willing to bet the farm that in a decade Korea has a major "fat" problem. Although, smoking helps with wieght loss, so perhaps that will balance the equation???

Eazy_E · Joined: 30 Oct 2003 Location: British Columbia, Canada

My classes have some tubby kids, for sure. But I don't think the problem here will get as bad as the North American epidemic because most kids seem to like the traditional foods, which are very healthy. Most families still have mum at home to make a nutritious supper for everyone. Two-income families in Canada or the US end up eating junk food out of convenience.

Alias · Joined: 24 Jan 2003

Korea has become another fast food nation. I guess some of the elders here have been alarmed at the amount of fat Korean kids.

Yep, fast food, PC bongs, and endless studying will do that.

ohahakehte · Joined: 24 Aug 2003 Location: The State of Denial

there was a short article on the front page of the korea herald this week that noted that koreans are eating less rice than they used to. they eat less than japan and according to the article koreans are eating more bread and instant noodles than before. i doubt koreans will ever get as bad as north americans with their fatty diets. many students of mine claim to not like eating too much pizza because its greasy. on the other hand many of them love KFC.

desultude · Posted: Wed Jan 21, 2004 12:53 am Post subject:

I took note of this too. I'm teaching camp, so I have children for three weeks. In my classes 1/3 to 1/2 are seriously plump. Unfortunately, there is a high corelation of between those whose parents both work, and don't have a grandmother at home, and being plump. Some tell me of diets of burgers and pizza. Sound familiar?

ohahakehte · Joined: 24 Aug 2003 Location: The State of Denial

kiwiboy_nz_99 · Joined: 05 Jul 2003 Location: ...Enlightenment...

jaebea · Joined: 21 Sep 2003 Location: SYD

The social stigma against being overweight should be a factor worth considering.

Rice is pretty good in keeping weight low, as it's GI index is comparatively low.

The tendencies to eat high fatty foods and periods of inactivity lead to an inevitably fatter youth.. :D

jae.

tokki · Joined: 26 Jul 2003

"What did you do this weekend, Billy?"

"Computah game"

"And you, Mike?"

"Star craft teachuh"

"Who went for a walk or played soccer"

sound of wind blowing through the window (imagine this is the summer)

Are Korean kids getting fatter and fatter? Ofcourse. They play computer games all day long. They eat a ton of junk food. Ofcourse they are getting fatter and they will continue getting fatter.

ohahakehte · Joined: 24 Aug 2003 Location: The State of Denial

Pyongshin Sangja · Joined: 20 Apr 2003 Location: I love baby!

NO WAY is it just as common to hear "soccer teacher" as "computer game." I would say it is about ten to one, the nerd to non-nerd ratio.

nolin nae · Joined: 23 Apr 2003 Location: ��ֹ�

consider this!

crazylemongirl · Joined: 23 Mar 2003 Location: almost there...

I think that this place is set for an obesity explosion. One of the comments that kid said about schooling in new zealand is that they do a lto more running around then just sitting in the classroom. Sure she may look bigger than the koreans the same age but the point is that she is fit and active.

If they are doing taekwando, soccer etc. that's fine. It's when their game of choice is starcraft that they gotta problem.

khyber · Joined: 16 Jan 2003 Location: Compunction Junction

so long as they would JUST stick to rice and nominal amounts of food, korea would be fine. They'd start to gain a lot of weight really quick if they change their eating habits too much (take in too many calories in conjunction with carbs...but that's in a different thread).

So long as korean parents try to curb children's snack eating things would be fine. But i'm with tokki, my students NEVER excercise over the weekend. OR, they do but i never hear about it. It's one or the other.

khyber · Joined: 16 Jan 2003 Location: Compunction Junction

http://www.cbc.ca/news/background/food/numbers3.html

damned interesting link.
Canadians consumed more than US in:
2%milk (14%)
Fresh fruit consumption (6.4%)
Frest Vegetables (20%)
Wheat Flour (7-8%)
Coffee (solid 10l/person...all in vanc. i'd bet)
Tea (40L/person)

Us consumed more:
Canned Veggies (10%)
Beef (4%) Chicken (6%)...all meats mentioned.
Eggs (a rather large:62/person)
Soft drinks (whoa:72L/person)

most other items are pretty close