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u_samayesterday at 1:07 PM8 repliesview on HN

For artificial problems, artificial solutions. I think the state of food in the US is really bad, and one cannot compare such products to the superior EU food quality standards and eating habits (and city designs) which render the incentives really perverse


Replies

vladvasiliuyesterday at 1:39 PM

These drugs are expensive and, at least in France, they're discussing offering them. I think this is the main reason explaining the difference in prevalence between the US and the EU.

Despite access to "superior food quality", weight issues are absolutely a problem in the EU, too. Maybe it's not at the same point as in the US, but 51% of the population of the EU (outside Ireland and Germany for some reason) are "overweight or obese" [0].

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[0] https://drees.solidarites-sante.gouv.fr/publications-communi... In French, from the ministry of health, but there's a chart which should be clear enough for everybody.

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mistahenryyesterday at 1:17 PM

I lived in Germany and Indonesia. It’s easier for me now back in the US than ever to eat healthy.

I can buy pre-chopped Cole slaw, diced peppers / onions, etc. Whole Foods is best in class (Alnatura doesn’t come close)

While to me, the layman, it seems health regulation in general in Europe is more conservative about what can be put on the body / be consumed, I think it’s mostly Americans don’t want to eat healthy. And the portion sizes here are insane (just look at the evolution dinner plate. 1960s plates at an antique sale only pass for salad plates)

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mschwaigyesterday at 1:34 PM

A consequence of universal healthcare that people don't talk about much is that it turns unhealthy citizens from an individual cost into more of a collective one. So it makes sense that countries with universal healthcare regulate in favor of their citizens as opposed to their food industry, because they're paying for the consequences more directly.

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staticassertionyesterday at 4:28 PM

> I think the state of food in the US is really bad, and one cannot compare such products to the superior EU food quality standards

What quality standards are you referring to?

acuozzotoday at 3:40 AM

> I think the state of food in the US is really bad

Or, perhaps, the state of mental health in the US is really bad.

davidmurdochyesterday at 2:55 PM

Meanwhile, YUM foods is probably working overtime trying to find a way to work around the effects of GLP-1.

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gedyyesterday at 5:08 PM

Most out of shape guy I know is German fellow who likes "healthy food".