Did you know that McDonald's is more profitable in France than any other European country? With over 1
million French men and women eating there every day, it is hardly surprising. It also is not surprising that the
"French paradox," the term applied to the idea that the French are famous for eating rich and fatty foods
without gaining a significant amount of weight, is falling by the "weigh"-side.
According to the New York Times, the adult obesity rate in France is rising steadily at about 6% per year, but the children's obesity rate is nearly triple that rate. With the nation currently reporting 42% of its population as overweight or obese - compared to 65% of the US population - France may meet or exceed the US rates in as few as 10 years.
Now, France is looking to the US to stop their collective weight gain, enacting legislation to ban sodas and junk foods from public schools and even making attempts to force restaurants to display the nutritional information of their menu items. The New York Times reports that not only have such measures met with resistance from the food industry, but there is a lack of political drive to push such measure into effect. This is a reflection of the population's belief that obesity is not as prevalent a problem as is actually is.Doctors and health professionals, like those in the United States, point fingers at modern, sedentary lifestyles and the lure of fast foods. Evidence indicates that the French tradition of long, slow meals is falling by the wayside as well, with studies revealing that, in the last 25 years, the average meal time in France has dropped from 88 minutes to 38 minutes, time which is often spent watching TV as well as eating. The French public is also quick to point the finger of blame at mothers, for failing to shop at local markets and cook for their families every night. Men in France, apparently, cannot cook.
New York Times Magazine's food issue
Chicken McNuggets frolic at New York City pet store
Eat your broccoli orbs! 
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 5)
1-26-2006 @ 3:56PM
Emily said...
I recall seeing a story on television recently that the weight problem phenomenon is also happening in Japan with the introduction of American food into the daily menu and the concept of "buffet."
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1-31-2006 @ 2:40PM
Kathy said...
Altough the French may be catching up with the U.S. in terms of obesity, I suspect they have a long way to go before they are as extremely morbidly obese as some Americans.
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1-31-2006 @ 3:18PM
JANIE said...
MC DONALDS AND COCA COLA ARE THE ROOT OF ALL THAT IS EVIL
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1-31-2006 @ 3:34PM
Giovanna said...
Who cares if French women are getting fat. The point is not about French women, the point is that this country, namely the United Sates of America, has more obese people than any other country in the world. Let us not concentrate on other countries and other women. Let us concentrate on our own country and try to help people live more healthy lives.
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1-31-2006 @ 3:46PM
Susan said...
We have become very lazy about eating at home. Spending less time at fast food places would do us all some good.
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1-31-2006 @ 3:49PM
Shannon said...
McDonalds and Coca Cola are not holding a gun to anyone's head and forcing them to eat poorly. We, and apparently France, need to take responsibility for our own inability to maintain proper weight.
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1-31-2006 @ 3:50PM
Justin said...
People that think obesity isnt serious problem in america need to walk down the street. Especially in cities, you cant go a block without seeing an overwieght or fat person. middle schooler close to or passing 100 lbs, junior high schoolers breaking 200. It is a serious problem, but too many people enjoy the convinience over long healthy life.
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1-31-2006 @ 3:52PM
Zombielord1985 said...
I LOVE MC DONALDS !
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1-31-2006 @ 3:56PM
Phil said...
I have just returned from Paris on Sunday, although it is true that Mc Do and Co. have settled nicely in France, the number of fast food restaurants is far greater here in the US and the typical patrons are for the part kids and teenagers. The french paradox if there is such a thing is a combination of many things: Less processed foods (open markets in every cities) where fresh fruits and veggies as well as dairy products, meat and fish can be found; smaller portions; salad and veggies accompanied most dishes; older cities make it easier to walk everywhere avoiding rare and expensive parking areas; add a copious daily dose of "petit noir" (caffeine) and "Gitanes" (brown tobacco). The french diet is basically a way of life as opposed to other known diets where you limit your comsumption to certain foods, either carbs or lipids.
Yes, obesity is the one of the side effect of avid capitalism and affects all industrialized countries.
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1-31-2006 @ 4:05PM
Holling said...
If there were even half as many dollars going to promoting healthy choices as are going to promoting unhealthy ones like McDonalds and Coke, then I bet we wouldn't have this trouble. When was the last time you saw a flashy TV ad for fresh, organic veggies? It's sexy and cool to drink Coke and eat fatty burgers, until you start to look like you do.
McDonalds should be taxed like cigarettes and alcohol, or eliminated altogether. Same for chips, sodas, candies, crackers, sugary cereal, etc.
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1-31-2006 @ 4:06PM
me said...
I eat all the mcdonalds i want and drink all the soda i want and i am a health 120lb woman who is french who is living here in mass
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1-31-2006 @ 4:35PM
kristin said...
really though who cares its your fault you're fat
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1-31-2006 @ 4:48PM
Michael said...
It's the prediction come true (in a song from the sixties,In the year 2525)!!!!
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1-31-2006 @ 5:09PM
tk said...
Absolutely correct! The overabundance of carb rich foods in pop culture is overwhelming. As a nurse and a father of a 10-year-old son, I have difficulty monitoring my sons diet. Daily choices compound and have to be evaluated regularly. All trips to dine out don't have to be bad. McDonald's offers some healthy sides as well as milk and juice to drink. We need to remember that we are the parents and do the directing. Also, it doesn't hurt to lead by example.
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1-31-2006 @ 5:19PM
Julie Dwenger said...
The fast food is no good for you even if you are not obese. I am 43 years old and weigh 105 lbs and do not really have to watch what I eat, but I know enough to do it anyway. Everyone likes good rich food (homemade creme brulee is my personal trial) but just eat those things in moderation. And, I've visited Paris, too, and saw many overweight people.
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1-31-2006 @ 5:19PM
Thom said...
"What do they call a quarter pounder with cheese in France?" John Travolta in Pulp Fiction
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1-31-2006 @ 5:24PM
ta said...
Somebody wrote:
9. I eat all the mcdonalds i want and drink all the soda i want and i am a health 120lb woman who is french who is living here in mass >snip<
I say: So how are those teeth in your head vomiter?
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1-31-2006 @ 5:28PM
Janice said...
To the person who eats all the McDonalds they want, and drinks all the soda and thinks she is a healthy 120 lb woman. you may not be overweight, but you're certainly not healthy if you're eating that.
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1-31-2006 @ 5:34PM
Margaret said...
Never mind McDonald's! We go there every great
once and a while. Daily my kids receive candy (small amounts), birthday snacks, junky snack shack items, etc. at school. Then we go to soccer and have more crap after the game. I am continually reassessing our diets and peeling away the layers to find healthy alternatives. My kids, of course, will feel deprived because they see their friends with the lunches full of JUNK, but I guess they'll have to feel deprived...
I think most people are in denial or ignorant about how bad the food is that they eat. I say all things are okay in moderation, but a little here and a little there adds up to days of bad diets! I read somewhere to shop the far walls of the grocery store and forget everything in the middle (processed food!).
Good luck everyone!
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1-31-2006 @ 5:36PM
Sara said...
The fact that over half of all Americans are overweight is not the fault of McDonalds or fast food. I get tired of hearing everyone blame fast food for people refusing to moderate their intake of calories. Instead of giving fast food a bad reputation, more money should be spent on educating people about making healthy choices and eating a balanced diet. Eliminating fast food won't fix the problem. The problem lies with us and OUR inability to control what goes in our mouths. And to be fair, there are healthy things you can eat at fast food restaurants, such as salads with grilled chicken and light dressing (you will find that at McDonalds...i've eaten them-- they are tasty.) So people need to stop blaming fast food for their weight problems and take some responsibility for themselves!
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