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Kennyftw
Joined: 08 Aug 2011
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 Posted: Wed Sep 28, 2011 5:31 am Post subject: Are Koreans Getting Fatter? |
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I spoke with another foreign teacher that arrived in 08 last week. He said that each year it seems Koreans are getting heavier and heavier.
I never noticed. But looking around this past week I was struck that literally going down the street in the bus and looking out the window, he was right! Damn near 25% of the people, both men and women was overweight. It seems to be VERY common among the younger generations, though--maybe closer to 30-40%. These figures are lower than American people, but 20 years ago, these percentages would be drastically lower. Maybe 5-10% overweight.
When I first came in early 2010, I was always under the impression that almost EVERY Korean was thin. But, then again, I never really thought about it.
Next time open your eyes and look around, you'll see what I mean.
What's it coming from? The diet hasn't really changed, they've had Mickey D's and Lotteria here for a good 20 years or so. Something is changing. |
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rainism
Joined: 13 Apr 2011
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| Posted: Wed Sep 28, 2011 5:55 am Post subject: Re: Are Koreans Getting Fatter? |
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| Kennyftw wrote: |
I spoke with another foreign teacher that arrived in 08 last week. He said that each year it seems Koreans are getting heavier and heavier.
I never noticed. But looking around this past week I was struck that literally going down the street in the bus and looking out the window, he was right! Damn near 25% of the people, both men and women was overweight. It seems to be VERY common among the younger generations, though--maybe closer to 30-40%. These figures are lower than American people, but 20 years ago, these percentages would be drastically lower. Maybe 5-10% overweight.
When I first came in early 2010, I was always under the impression that almost EVERY Korean was thin. But, then again, I never really thought about it.
Next time open your eyes and look around, you'll see what I mean.
What's it coming from? The diet hasn't really changed, they've had Mickey D's and Lotteria here for a good 20 years or so. Something is changing. |
there's no question they're getting fatter.
In many socio economically lower/depressed areas, the amount of fatsos you'll see, especially female, will make you wonder if you're not in North America. And I'm not talking chubby either, I'm talking about blubbery American style hanging rolls, etc. 
I have no idea what has cause it, but you'll notice younger Koreans aren't particularly physically active (once again, especially the girls). Sitting in a school and hagwon or PC bang all day isn't conducive to calorie burning. Also you now have 24 hour convenience stores with all kinds of snacks, chips, ice cream and other fatteners within a block or two of most Korean households. |
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sadguy
Joined: 13 Feb 2011
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| Posted: Wed Sep 28, 2011 7:40 am Post subject: |
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| go to costco, you'll see a bunch of fat koreans there. |
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Died By Bear
Joined: 13 Jul 2010
Location: On the big lake they call Gitche Gumee
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| Posted: Wed Sep 28, 2011 8:17 am Post subject: |
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| From '94 to '98, I hardly ever saw an overweight Korean, much less overweight kids. When I returned in 05' it was a whole different ballgame. I noticed it right away, in fact even mentioned it to several people I knew that lived in Korea during the same timeline - they said they noticed it as well. It was a dramatic shift from the mid 90's. |
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Gorf
Joined: 25 Jun 2011
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| Posted: Wed Sep 28, 2011 8:41 am Post subject: |
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| As they've progressed economically, so have their waistlines. It's their prerogative. Still doesn't hold a candle to any western country, though. |
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sadguy
Joined: 13 Feb 2011
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| Posted: Wed Sep 28, 2011 8:42 am Post subject: |
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| it's the 3 taco bells that have opened up in seoul that should be blamed |
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PastorYoon
Joined: 25 Jun 2010
Location: Sea of Japan
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| Posted: Wed Sep 28, 2011 3:42 pm Post subject: |
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Koreans are getting fatter! 
Keep up the good work! |
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itistime
Joined: 23 Jul 2010
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| Posted: Wed Sep 28, 2011 4:34 pm Post subject: |
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Hey brain surgeons.
It's called milk. It's happening (has been) all over
Asia. It began slowly about 5-10 years ago.
Read the 'China Study'. Fairly related to your topic.
The same thing started in many western places
in the 70s.
In addition, fast food joints and snacky snack places
are popping up everywhere. Eat up, porkos. |
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whatisinmyhead
Joined: 31 Oct 2010
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| Posted: Wed Sep 28, 2011 4:43 pm Post subject: |
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| i love seeing fat little korean kids practicing their taekwondo. slow mo! |
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Zackback
Joined: 05 Nov 2010
Location: Kyungbuk
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| Posted: Wed Sep 28, 2011 5:07 pm Post subject: |
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With the change of diet it disturbs me that the women here are growing taller  |
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MoneyMike
Joined: 03 Dec 2008
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| Posted: Wed Sep 28, 2011 5:27 pm Post subject: |
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I actually kind of thought about starting a thread like this recently. I've only been here just over 2 years, but even I have noticed a difference in that time, and many of my friends have said the same.
I don't see many obese Koreans in my neck of the woods, but chubby people aren't a rarity. (to be honest, I'm not sure how fat someone has to be to be called obese) The girls are getting a bit thicker though, which I totally dig. Korean girls were hot to begin with, but Korean girls with a bit more of a figure? Yes please. |
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Kaypea
Joined: 09 Oct 2008
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| Posted: Wed Sep 28, 2011 5:44 pm Post subject: |
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| Zackback wrote: |
| With the change of diet it disturbs me that the women here are growing taller |
The good news is, so are the guys. I think the next generation of guys might be really fine, if they don't get too fat. |
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Kennyftw
Joined: 08 Aug 2011
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| Posted: Wed Sep 28, 2011 6:05 pm Post subject: |
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| MoneyMike wrote: |
I actually kind of thought about starting a thread like this recently. I've only been here just over 2 years, but even I have noticed a difference in that time, and many of my friends have said the same.
I don't see many obese Koreans in my neck of the woods, but chubby people aren't a rarity. (to be honest, I'm not sure how fat someone has to be to be called obese) The girls are getting a bit thicker though, which I totally dig. Korean girls were hot to begin with, but Korean girls with a bit more of a figure? Yes please. |
Ewwwwww. Ok, Korean girls that are THIN are better looking than American girls...BUT if they start to get chunky, I don't know, they just turn into a different person; they remind me of ompa lumpas. Total turn off. In other words, white girls that are overweight are cuter than Korean girls that are overweight.
And to the person that said something about milk may be right, partly. The milk here does indeed have tons of fat. It may be a contributing source of added weight for sure. |
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marsavalanche
Joined: 27 Aug 2010
Location: where pretty lies perish
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| Posted: Wed Sep 28, 2011 6:12 pm Post subject: |
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| How come the Japanese didn't get fat? |
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sadguy
Joined: 13 Feb 2011
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| Posted: Wed Sep 28, 2011 6:16 pm Post subject: |
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| because it's illegal to be fat in japan. i'm not even joking either. google it. |
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