How U.S. men look naked compared to rest of world: New obesity fix?
Comparing the naked -- or nearly naked -- bodies of U.S. men with men around the world is one way to prod men into exercising more, eating less pizza and perhaps being a little less critical of women’s bodies, says a Pittsburgh artist.
The artist, Nickolay Lamm, has taken public health data such as height and body-mass index to compare the average U.S. man in his 30s with his contemporaries around the world, including France, Japan and the Netherlands. The results are enough to make you drop and do some sit-ups and push-ups.
The man from the U.S. looks downright doughy around the middle and thick-thighed.
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“It’s a reality check,” Lamm told The Times about his latest art project. “We as Americans have the biggest cars, the biggest houses, the best of everything, but I doubt we want to have the biggest waistlines.”
The artist said he believes the unflattering comparisons could lead U.S. men to begin to look for ways to trim their collective waistlines. “Maybe they’ll consider working out more,” he said.
The artist said he had another goal in mind for his art. He recalled being in a bar -- “even though I don’t go to bars a lot” -- and seeing men callously critiquing the bodies of women across the room.
“These guys are criticizing women’s bodies like they’re some kind of god,” he laughed. “I think it’s time that someone should critique them.”
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