French paradox falling by the weigh-side

by Nicole Weston, Posted Jan 26th 2006 @ 11:53AM

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.

Source

Tags: children, fat, fat children, france, french, french paradox, mcdonalds, new york times, nyt, obese children, obesity, obesity rate, ObesityRate, paradox, united states, us, weight, weight gain

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Reader comments (Page 5 of 5)

1-31-2006 @7:32PM Barbie said... You know these cute teenage girls running around with their bellies exposed...THEY ARE FAT! Fat right around the mid section...that is from JUNK FOOD & SODAS. It amazes me to see people exposing their fat bellies and not thinking a thing of it. This country is headed for so many health problems...we can't even imagine how bad...if we continue to eat all this crap. You think we have health problems now...just wait.
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1-31-2006 @7:35PM ted said... I agree with those who said that no one is putting a gun to your head to force you to eat junk food, I gave it up 10 years ago and it is not difficult. The ones who should be ashamed are parents who let their children eat the crap, because it's easy and convenient, no excuse for that. I have never seen as many fat kids in my life before as I have in the past 5 years.
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1-31-2006 @7:41PM Martha said... I pick up my nephew at high school a couple of times per month and it breaks my heart when I watch the leaders of our future filing out of class at the end of the day.....90% are very much overweight and 20% of that 90% are obese. Something has to be done before it's too late. But What?????
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1-31-2006 @7:43PM John Kormanik said... Are you fat? Read the book "Sugar Busters". Sugar, refined flour and insulin is the reason a person keeps on weight. Insulin helps to store fat! So if you eat a lot of simple or complex carborhydrates (sugar,potatoe and refined flour) to name a few. Your body makes lots of insulin to maintain blood sugar at normal levels.And the excessive insulin causes your body to store more fat. I'm not talking about diabetics only. If your overweight and not a diabetic and eat the above foods. Your pancreas is making insulin 24/7. When it gives out: you will be a diabetic. Read the book.
John (without medical experience)
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1-31-2006 @7:47PM KAREN said... It's not all about the food we eat. It's about getting up off our collective butts and becoming active. Not just exercise or a walk. But, actually becoming active people on a daily basis!
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1-31-2006 @7:48PM Sonya said... A well known women's magazine ran this story about a year ago. I replied to them, as I am to you:
Yes, the French may be thinner but how does the rate of alcoholism and cigarette smoking related illness in France play into that lower weight...the magazine did not reply, or print my response. We had a French exchange student for a few weeks and he loved fast food. One habit he did have was to eat a very large, healthful breakfast, every day. Maybe it's not just the Mikey D's, maybe it's the skipping breakfast!
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1-31-2006 @7:59PM Donna said... Let's face it, it's not just McDonald's and Cokes that's making us fat, it's the fact that Americans live in a world of video games and movies instead of exercising. Also, how many of you out there actually sit down at a dinner table to eat with the television off?
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1-31-2006 @8:00PM Rufus said... There is no fast food place that make people fat
I wish people would start being responsible for
their on actions instead of blaming it on someone else
we have become a nation of whiner's so start putting the blame where it should be on yourself
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1-31-2006 @8:13PM Sarah said... McDonalds and Coke-a-Cola didn't get anyone fat. The parents that allow their children to sustain themselves there got them fat!
McDonalds offers many healthy choices now. I need a Big Mac right now!
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1-31-2006 @8:51PM mejane said... HEY!!!! Everyone ought to grow up & take responsibility for what you eat, your own health & appearance & everything ELSE in YOUR life! QUIT WHINING & BLAMING EVERYONE ELSE!!
GET A GRIP!!!
viva la france!
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