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Comment by redeux | Hacker News Reader

It’s actually pretty simple. Despite what you’re calling unhealthy foods (I’d argue kimchi has health benefits from the fermentation), they have a lower overall caloric intake and societal pressure to conform to a thin appearance. If you want to be skinny eat less calories. If you want to be healthy, eat highly nutritious foods and the right amount of calories for your lifestyle.

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I don't think a large proportion of thin people are thin because of societal pressure. And conversely I don't think societal pressure makes many people thin, because I hear so much complaints about body shaming and unrealistic beauty expectations and discrimination against obesity etc, so it clearly isn't working any miracles.

I think most people who are thin just have a food intake regulation that is pretty well balanced so they don't over eat because they don't feel that hungry when they have had enough calories.

The reason why some groups of people have been increasingly prone to obesity is external factors interfering with that regulation. It's probably lots of things, food availability, ingredients, cost, culture, other mental health issues, medications, entertainment, work, availability of cars. One thing it is not is simple.

The calories in vs calories out mechanic is simple, the reasons why that's going out of kilter is not.

Asians dont consume the same amounts of sugars. its that simple. they also tend to exercise more.

It's total calories, not just calories from sugar. And I already said that part of it was simple, remember? It's in the post you're replying to!

The question is why they have better balanced calorie intake. It's certainly not lack of sugar availability.

Rice syrup + corn syrup are used in pretty much every savory dish, subway stations often have a bakery that sells sweet pastries (filled with bean paste), Starbucks style coffee drinks are also popular, people snack dried octopus (loaded with salt + sugar)...

I loved the food, but it was not at all what anyone would consider healthy.

(Instant Ramen are also extremely popular, industrially produced fried noodles with way too much saturated fats + sodium)

I am not sure there is a strong societal pressure to be thin. Last several years, sure. But older generations, nor so much (see deities in any buddist temple). And there was enough time after food became abundant for the older generations health to tank if that diet was very bad for them. My 2c.

I am not sure there is a strong societal pressure to be thin. Last several years, probably. But older generations, nor so much (see deities in any buddist temple). And there was enough time after food became abundant for the older generations health to tank if that diet was very bad for them. My 2c.

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