American Fast Food Took Over Kuwait And Made Its People Obese | VICE on HBO
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Published 2018-02-08
The very first McDonald's restaurant appeared in Kuwait on a U.S. military base set up to support the 1991 invasion of Iraq. Since then, the industry has rapidly expanded — there are now hundreds of U.S. fast food restaurants in Kuwait and as a result, the country has become one of the most obese nations on the planet.
"The begining of fast food, I would say it is part of the Americanization of the culture here." Dr. Mohsen Bagnied, a professor at the American University of Kuwait told VICE News. Now, Kuwait has roughly double the percentage of diabetic adults than the U.S.
The fast food industry isn't just operating in the Middle East. American Fast food brands populate more than 100 countries around the world, occupying six continents. And the global fast food industry is projected to be worth over $600 billion by 2019.
VICE's Gianna Toboni travels to Kuwait to witness the health effects on a country deep in the throes of an unlikely obsession with U.S. fast food.
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All Comments (21)
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"Anything American is popular here," Dr. Mohsen Bagnied, a professor at the American University of Kuwait, told VICE News. "Many families look at it as a fun way to spend the weekend or the evening." Watch the next full episode of VICE on HBO - bit.ly/2BMzMMK
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They’ll be doomed when Popeyes gets there
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I’m sorry but if dominoes made my pizza with that type of motivation I’d order 3 times a day too shitttt
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“Yeah just zoom in on any fat people that walk by and you’re good”
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I'm American and when I worked in Saudi Arabia it was the exact same thing! Shake Shack, Burger King etc! I wanted the local food kabsa, ma'moul, saleeg and mandi. It was not only less expensive but more delicious in my opinion.
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They really missed an opportunity when they decided not to name this documentary “Kuweight” 🤙🤙🤙
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This video taught me that their Dominos employees are more motivated than ours
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In Ecuador my family was too poor to afford McDonalds and Burger King. In America I was excited this food was so accessible and ended up overweight with high cholesterol and a fatty liver. It is now in my late 30s that I am trying to change course.
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Hold up mate, You're telling me they deliver the pizza straight to your table?! Say no more, I shall get on a plane and move there. Already made up my mind
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Kuwait kids: mom, can we eat at home? Kuwait mom: no we got burger King across the street
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Kuwait’s fast food looks like it came straight out of the advertisement. Just perfection. Meanwhile, ours comes out wilted and careless.
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This is horrible to hear. We Americans struggle with the desire to eat horrible "food." I pray they, and we, will be able to make the right decisions about our health. Good grief, I've struggled with it. Gianni Toboni is a wonderful correspondent and reporter (which are kinda the same) and I must say she made the mini-documentary overwhelmingly interesting and supplied us with necessary information. Thank you again and again.
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When I lived on Okinawa, Japan, in the 90s they had a KFC. It was $50 bucks for two pieces of chicken and small side. The military base had Popeyes and Subways. My daughter was 5-9 yrs old while living there. We ate local food, or shopped at commissary, not eating American junk food.
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I almost cried when that little girl said she was eating Burger King after eating at McDonalds. I hope the parents realize what they're doing and change their lifestyle.
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This video is banned here in kuwait so I had to use a VPN to watch this 😂😂
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Felt bad for Latifah. When the doctor listed the potential risks of being type 3 obese and she looked terrified, it's sad to see.
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🔊 Where my Gorls at?! That doctor wouldn’t even have enough measuring tape that could be wrapped around Foodie’s gunt! 😂
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Yo the Kuwait burgers look 100x better then USA wtf
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Forget the military... This is how USA can destroy its enemies!
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Lol wonder is Chantal saw this before her decision
