I'd betcha some other countries would love to have such failed results!

By CW | March 16, 2010 3:13 PM

I realize that our people don't do as much exercising as they perhaps should and that they smoke far too much; however, I think, in general, the Dutch population is in better shape then most other European countries. This doesn't mean that we can't improve - stopping smoking would be a tep in the right direction.
I'm often amazed at the number of comments I read here on these pages coming in the defense of "the right to smoke" -- I understand that it is probably the nicotine addiction talking but still, how shortsighted and selfish.

By Buzzer | March 16, 2010 4:29 PM

Is the government aware that smoking has decreased over the years(advertising is still very much legal and still stares at us every day), Dutch citizens cycle everywhere and in all sorts of weather(I assume that's exercise?) and drinking only becomes a problem if people are so controlled by laws that they can't put one foot in front of the other without being told how, which is undermining and suffocating any attempts at being human and thinking for themselves? What is killing people now is mainly the food they eat and water they drink and can't possibly give up. It doesn't taste like food, it's lost all vitamins and minerals ages ago and was fresh probably a year ago before it was cold stored, chemically treated, painted, injected ... We forgot oranges in our garage over 3 months ago and they were still "alive", so to speak when we put them in the bin. They don't last 2 weeks in the fridge in a third world country. As for the water, all sorts of waste go into it everyday. Governments don't want to make anybody healthy because it is our unhealthiness that is filling their coffers. As usual, you and I are to blame, they will just come up with more laws to justify their high salaries and fat life styles. Addressing facts will cost the governments a lot of money to fix. Making laws keeps them employed

By Cookie | March 16, 2010 10:35 PM

I lived in amsterdam for a year and I was under the impression that everybody was fit and healthy even the ones in the coffeeshops. Everybody cycles everywhere and I rarely saw fat people. The ones I did see were usually tourists usually from the States. Equally I rarely saw anyone drunk those I did see were again tourists usually from the UK. Since I returned to the Uk I have stopped smoking due to costs not health. Furthermore I have gained around 30KG in weight. My dream is to return to The Netherlands, feel the wind on my face as I cycle everywhere and smell the sweet aroma of a coffeeshop.

By a j bennie | March 17, 2010 7:21 AM

Growing up in the USA President Carter started fitness program that focused on children health. The obesity rate fell over the four years and than the new president reagan killed the program and now the USA is 1/3 obese. DO NOT let this happen here! Turn off the TV and grow a garden full of fresh food that you do not have to pay for.

By Paul Martin | March 17, 2010 11:20 AM

you need to get away from Amsterdam, with its tourists and ex-pat inhabitants, to see the true picture of how obesity is on the increase here - much like everywhere else.

At the moment people from the poorer areas of towns and villages outside the capital and also certain ethnic groupings are showing alarming rises in Obesity/overweight. Now less than half of the population has a "healthy" BMI (but BMI itself is a bogus statistic).

one thing is for sure: the food that is cheap to buy is very very bad for you and stopping with smoking often leads to putting on weight.

By John | March 17, 2010 11:24 AM

I agree - you need to get out of the cities to see the real stats. Indeed in the cities everyone cycles everywhere because driving and parking is problematic, but outside the cities it is no problem. Rent a car and drive out to Gelderland or wherever and you will see so many fatties, you will not believe it.

The smoking is a different issue. This is, and should not be, a measure to force people to behave a certain way, but should be a measure to protect non-smokers from unwanted smoke. I cannot spit on you, so why can I smoke on you? and spitting causes less harm! Public transport needs to get rid of smoking on the train and bus platforms and shelters. When it rains, I have to stand between two smokers or brave the wet!

By Matt | March 20, 2010 1:49 PM