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ARTIST Nickolay Lamm created illustrations that compare the body measurements of the average middle-aged man from the United States, Japan, France, and the Netherlands.
Not surprisingly, Americans are fat compared to other countries.
An illustration of the average 30- to 39-year-old man from the United States, Japan, the Netherlands, and France are shown from left to right.
From left to right: USA, Japan, Netherlands, France. Image: Nickolay Lamm.
The illustrations were produced using the Body Mass Index (BMI), height, and waist measurements of the average middle-aged male from each country.
Body Mass Index (BMI) is calculated from a person’s weight and height, and is a good indicator of body fatness.
See the results below:
United States
BMI: 29
Height: 176.4 cm (69.5 inches)
Waist:99.4 cm waist (39.1 inches)
Japan
BMI: 23.7
Height: 171.4 cm (67.5 inches)
Waist: 82.9 cm (32.6 inches)
France
BMI: 25.55
Height: 174.4 cm (68.7 inches)
Waist: 92.3 cm (36.3 inches)
Netherlands
BMI: 25.2
Height: 183.3 cm (72.2 inches)
Waist: 91 cm (35.8 inches)
A normal BMI ranges from 18.5 to 24.9. A BMI of 25 to 29.9 is considered overweight, and anything over 30 is obese, meaning, the average American male over the age of 30 is overweight.
When it comes to height, at least, Americans fare better. American men are shorter than men from the Netherlands but taller than those from France or Japan.
From tallest to shortest: Netherlands, USA, France, Japan.
- Dina Spector
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I think I will move to the Netherlands !
Are people from Netherland called Neanderthals?
Der vilde n krayshe in de Netherlands
If people from Poland are called Poles doe that mean people from Holland are called Holes ?
Ireland isn’t far off America nowadays, we’re going to need wider doors soon
Very true!
I’m not overweight, just too short for my weight. If I were 7′ 8″ I’d be the ideal weight.
My thoughts exactly as I munch my meat feast pizza n Ben and jerrys. Way a fat bastard!
Are you calling me fat? I’ll have you know I’m in great shape, round’s a shape. I have the body of a god, Buddha. I used to be an atheist until I realized I’m a sex god. Hah, fat indeed!!
I am pleased to read that, in general, the Irish have a positive attitude regarding the Dutch! I can assure you the feeling is mutual!
Sorry to say that the dutch really only have their physique going for them. Met a few over the years and most of them have a personality of a rock.
Are you sure it was Holland and not Germany? The Dutch, just like the Chinese are a great bunch of lads
You’d be on the chunky side, David. I’m 6’3″ and have a 32″ waist and I know a few more lbs would do me no favours
Wtf.
Don’t agree, Karla. Have worked with Dutch people and found them to be normal and with good work ethic. And yes tall.
Haha did this article really just say BMI was a good indicator of “body fatness”?
Lol yep!
I switched off as soon as I saw that! BMI is possibly the worst indicator when speaking about body fat percentage and bears no direct correlation.
Agreed. BMI standards were determined back in the 1830s and not taken very seriously at this stage. Don’t take into account a persons build, distribution of lean muscle or fat. Can’t believe so many people pay attention to it anymore.
BMI was designed to measure populations and not individuals. This mis-application of this measurement happened in the 70′s and has stayed with us ever since. If your BMI is high it simply means you are above average weight for your height (whether that extra weight is fat or muscle).
I’m moving to The Netherlands
Em, elephant in the room time! Since when are people in their thirties middle aged? Dear editor, don’t piss off the people you aim your advertising at!
Robert ,I am 63 and think I am middle aged !!!!!!!!
Going to live to 126
Inspirational comment Maria. If you feel middle aged, then you are!
The tallest men in the world are in the Netherlands then Sweden, Norway, all of north western Europe and Germany. I’m tall I wouldn’t mind the Netherlands lol
Irish men are bigger in different places.
Smallest in the western world according to my information
I bet you enjoyed collating that data eh, Roddy boy?
I saw a few very big ones.
I talk to loads of Women!!
I’d say its from personal experience you have that information is it rodrigo
Their ARSe
This is such an outdated summery of Irish men,all around Ireland on average most men are taller than 1m70cm,also I’m married to a dutch man and he is 1m70cm,all dutch are not super tall either!. :)
We can win this one
A 35.8 inch waste is very big no matter what height you are, even a 34 inch waste is fat, The Japanese are spot on with 32.6
I have 34 inch waste and 6.4 but yet I’m with my bmi. Think someone’s talking poo
Big boy. Is that 6.4 inches :)
BMI stands for bull**** measurement indication, it’s ridiculous, I bet you know somebody that you wouldn’t consider “morbidly obese” but the BMI chart considers them to be, they may only be moderately big, it makes people think they are fatter than they are also, it’s genius and it cons people into spending money on bull**** diets
That’d be all the waste !
I’m a 34″ waist and 5’11″ and don’t consider myself to be fat, even though my BMI suggests I’m obese! lol
Nice back.
bullshiit if you combine all 4 of them men in the picture together it would be more close to what the average American looks like
My French husband is 6’3′ and still very sexy even if he is muddle aged ,,,,,he is 64 ,,
Mmmm I need to move to holland
have your say