British women are the fattest in Europe

There was an item on BBC news this morning where the travel correspondent for the Independent newspaper was commenting that it was a real possibility that RyanAir could introduce a provision that people who could not sit in a standard seat without encroaching on the seat next to them would be required to pay for two seats.

http://www.independent.co.uk/travel/news-and-advice/ryanair-may-charge-a-fat-taxrsquo-for-its-overweight-passengers-1672979.html

But interestingly, he said that, on the body mass index (weight divided by the square of height) British women are the fattest in Europe. British men are the third fattest behind Greece and Finland.

I have to admit that when I go back to the UK I can sometimes fit in two sizes smaller than in Spain. I don't see many obese British women. Yes, many look a "healthy" size but they do tend to be larger framed than Southern European women so they can carry more weight i.e they have broader shoulders, bigger feet so they will weigh more.

Susan

The BMI thing seems crazy - my husband would be in the overweight catergory yet its fitter than a good many and works an average 18hr day - farming - walks miles in the day but his bmi wuld be around the 30 mark - he doesn't overspill in to his nieghbours seat on the airplane - just his elbow into mine! At what BMI level do you think Ryanair would charge at? There are a good many relativity fit people with a BMI of 30!

we have been aware of bmi for many years due to the insuring of clients and sadly it is not an exact science for example the "myth" about some people being heavy boned is true.

It also doesnt account for atheletes as muscle weighs more than fat.

Ws in Italy recently and cant agree about British women being fattest in Europe!

Justin is a good example, I dread to think what his BMI is but he anyone who has ever seen him will agree that he doesn't look obese just big boned

Susan