pam

Well, every weight-loss plan I've ever read says, 'drink lots of water and eat slowly.' We've established that Europeans tend to have leisurely meals, while Americans often rush through meals as just another task to scratch off the list. If one eats slowly, one's body notices one is 'full' before one has a chance to completely stuff oneself. I'm sure the walking has a lot to do with it. And my husband has been going on and on since our return from Italy about the quality/quantity equation and American society vs. others. He says most Americans drink a lot of bad coffee all day long, while an Italian can get a couple of terrific shots of espresso during the day. Americans can eat a lot of chocolate to get their fix while a European can eat one piece of really great chocolate and get their fix. I firmly believe that denying oneself is self defeating. All things in moderation! ...And another thing--I have been reading a lot lately about 'how to tell the folks they have to stop driving.' Americans who cannot drive are up the creek w/o the proverbial paddle. There are precious few places you can live and walk to a grocery, much less to a newsstand, bookstore, cleaners or anything else.

Bob Brown

Two comments: I live in a college town, but riding a bike is dangerous. I ride for exercise regularly, but I have to pick my spots. I feel vulnerable and threatened most places because there are absolutely NO bike paths as I found in Germany. <BR> <BR>As for meal portions in Switzerland. Our meals at night in Swiss restaurants were more than I could eat. So the smaller portions argument is location dependent. I lost weight in Switzerland because we walked our shoes off.

elvira

Oy...Happy Chips...yes, Sheila, Americans have become VERY odd. Our theory? IF THERE IS SOMETHING WRONG WITH ME, THEN THERE MUST BE A DRUG TO FIX IT. Miserable marriage? Take Valium. Unhappy? Take Prozac. Tired? Take hormones. Overweight? Take Phen-Fen. Now, I'm not saying that drugs aren't warranted in some cases, but we tend to reach for the pill bottle first before figuring out what's the real cause. Maybe it's not so much lack of self-esteem as it is lack of understanding that not everything is easy. Some things take work - if you're depressed because you have no friends, then you'll have to actually do some work to get friends. Or, take Prozac or Mother's little helpers. <BR>I think that's why we have trouble with food. It takes work to roast a chicken and potatoes; it's easy to go through Kentucky Fried Chicken's Drive-through. Again, it's not all or nothing; every once in a great while, an order of Extra Crispy just hits the spot. Unfortunately, many people do it more than once in a great while. It soon becomes too easy.

Maira

Bonnie, I hate to break it to you, but Sheila is right. An American company has come up with some sorts of chips that have a high content of natural anti-depressants. However, I did heard a doctor saying that you would need to eat like four bags to obtain the necessary dosage that would make you "feel" a difference (pretty dumb, isn't it?....) <BR> <BR>Elvira, let's not forget Viagra (Oh, Lord!.....)

Bonnie

Well, gang, I'm not even slightly surprised that those chips exist. To my knowledge, they're not available in my part of the South yet but I'll now expect them any day! But then I only found out about the lotion that will totally get rid of your cellulite, ladies, on QVC yesterday, at ONLY $33.00 for a month's supply; it must of course be used on a maintenance basis after the initial miracle takes place in the first 2 months. Maybe if we just buy that by the drum (are you reading us, QVC?) we can rub it all over our bodies after our shower each night, then we won't have to worry about what we eat, right? Should we send you a case, Sheila? No, REALLY, we're NOT weird!

Linda

Okay, I'll add my two cents worth. I agree with Elvira and if I may generalize, I believe we Americans (including myself) are spoiled. I live in Silicon Valley, the very heart of materialism in the U.S. The sheer number of people wasting their money (or is it their stock options and yes, I'm jealous) on toys like the latest sports utility vehicles (the Lexus and Mercedes seem to be the flavor of the month) and outbidding each other for $1M tract homes is ludicrious. These people would not walk or bicycle to the corner market if it was safe. They must be seen in the latest work-out togs at the priciest gym with their personal trainer and nutritionist. I have been to Europe several times and always come home thinner than when I left even though I eat the same amount. The difference is as previously mentioned, the exercise and the healthier diet. Bravo Europe!! <BR>

Glenn

I agree with many of the fine answers, such as gas=$$$$. How many kids owen a car when they learn to drive in Europe, maybe a scooter.Most people only have one car in Europe, mass transit is all over and you just need to walk a little bit to get there. Bicycles are big, video games aren,t. But notice, the average town has all the needed stores, one can bike to the bakery, beverage store, and the market for food. Look at the size of the average fridge in Europe, small compared to the huge one in the US. IT seems to be a mind set, a difference in attitudes. I did hear on the radio today, that the US is the fattest country in the world. In Seattle, they are spending a million dollars to put new seats in on the ferry, because the standard 18" size is too small for the passengers. Super size my value meal please ! It does not seem to be as a natural thing here in the US. <BR>Thats it IMHO.

Sheila

Another tuppence- worth please. In the last two years I have lost 6 and a half stone in weight ( that's 91 pounds American pals) I did it by....eating less and exercising more. <BR> <BR>There is no secret. You just have to want to <BR>

francesca

Every time I go "home" to the US, I notice it within minutes of entering the airport: all the obese people. It is shocking, especially the obese children. All the reasons I'd give for why the French and Italians are thinner than Americans have already been given. Unfortunately, people do smoke, especially women, to keep thin. But there is one more thing: in France, being fat is simply taboo for both men and women. Everyone watchs what they eat to avoid being even slightly overweight. This creates serious social pressure to be thin. Women here over size 12 need a "larger size" shop. I would also say that one sees more overweight people outside of Paris, and that, as in the US, there seem to be social-economic links to obesity. Finally, it's very tiresome for Europeans to blame Americans for the infiltration of fast food. McDonalds is successful in France because French people eat there.

Valerie

I tried to avoid responding to this thread because I think my answer will be perceived as negative, but here goes anyway. I think it comes down to self control. Americans are over indulgent in everything; shopping , drinking, and eating. My humble opinion is that people are overweight for a very simple reason: They eat too much! If you can't walk or exercise, then eat less. I am 38yrs and only weigh 103 pounds (that's 7 1/2 stones) and I stand 5'3". Americans always say I am too skinny, and when in Europe I look just like the locals. I love junk food but when I eat it I do so in moderation, ie, I eat half a candy bar or if I have to have lunch at McDonalds I have just a chicken sandwich and no biggie fries, no shakes, by the way I wish they had the Veggie Burgers here like in the UK McDonalds! You see where I am going with this? Bottom line: self control and moderation!

Mary Ann

Valerie, a part may be self control but that is too much a generalization. I too am thin (almost 5'8 and 112 lbs). I do minimal walking and eat whatever I want. I have tried to gain weight but I have just as hard a time gaining as other people losing. A lot has to do with heredity and metabolism. When I get upset I do not eat, other people do so even emotion and personality can influence your weight. This is not to say they are not overweight people due to lack of exercise or self control but that it cannot be a blanket statement. My daughter has inherited the same demeanor. When she lived a summer in Europe, she actually gained weight. She had no car, did alot of walking, and due to budget constraints, did not eat at McDonalds, so go figure. Age is also a factor. My husband has been thin all his life and now in his 50s is gaining weight with no changes in diet or exercise. I would agree there are more people in the US that are overweight but for alot of the reasons of which self-control is one of the many cited in this topic.

joe travel

One thing I have not seen commented on was that America was until recently a largely agricultural society. Europe made the transistion to urban living much sooner. Our grandparents worked very hard, and had a diet that supported this lifestyle. We are only gradually becoming accostumed to a more sedentary lifestyle. There was a time, when a certain girth showed the ability to have leisure and plenty to eat, which was seen as very appealing!!

Bonnie

Mary Ann, I believe what you are saying about yourself and your daughter but you are SO, SO RARE! In all my 50-odd years, I have known only about 6 people like you, two of them being aunt/cousins of mine who ate all the time but couldn't gain weight. But you are part of that TINY percentage of our population like that! That's not the case for the majority! Most people need to eat much, much less and exercise much, much more!

patricia

this situation doesnt just go to europeans - most asians are very thin also. Like everyone has mentioned, its parcially because of exercise and food intake. MOst asians dont eat a ton of fast food. I think us americans would be a lot thinner if McDonalds, BUrger King, and Pizza Hut were either destroyed, or if they up the price.

catherine

If people really loved their partners,they wouldn't get fat. <BR>I ask myself,do I want a bag of chips or the twinkle in my husbands eye.

aw

Hi Guys <BR>Some interesting subject. I am an Asian and yes we don't have heavy people over there like in U.S mainly because the food is very expensive. Food is a big part of most of the people's budget, like apartment rent or a car payment in U.S, so people have to be careful in spending money for food. Most of the people can make tasty food with vegetables, rice and non greese items which are less expensive. People rarely eat cheese, ocasionally eat meat. <BR>I also agree that we people have a smaller bone structure also so we usually don't look big. But my main reason why people are overweight in U.S is because people work toooo many hours. And the work usually does not require physical labour just mental stress of being in one place for 8 hours and a long ride home with traffic(more stress). So by the time you get home you are pretty stessed out so you over eat to relieve the pressure and not maybe because you are hungry. In asia, europe and other places people hardly work 6 hours/day and dont't have much stress. Your thoughts. <BR>

stucci

OH yeah!!! the forum right above mine explains what us Government workers have been trying to say for a long long time. I work a 9hr day, and when i get home, i dont want to excersie..i just wanna sleep!! i think if i worked less, i could go on walks, do aerobics etc. Someone please tell Bill Clinton!

elvira

Several years ago there was a very interesting documentary on a study done by the doctor who invented K-rations (his name started with K, whoda thunk, but I don't remember it)concerning cholesterol/heart attacks among several different groups: US citizens, Japanese, Chinese, southern Italians, and the Finnish. The Italians had low chol/heart attack rates, but did not exercise in any great amounts. They eat garlic, olive oil, fresh vegetables, and fish. The Japanese have low chol/heart attacks although most have very stressful lives (work, school). Their rates are going up, correlating directly with the introduction of "American" food into their diets (red meat, fast food). The Chinese have low chol/heart attacks with little increase. Mainland China has little 'western' food available to the masses. The Finnish, who exercise a lot (the group they studied lived in the far north) because they cross-country ski as a mode of transportation, have outofcontrol cholesterol and heart trouble. Seems they eat a winter stew which consists of bacon fat, bacon, cream, and red meat. Americans are the worst, little fresh vegetables or grains, lots of red meat and prepared foods, and fast food, but they go to the gym 3 times a week. Sooooo..... <BR> <BR>

Dave

I know this forum is supposed to be about European Travel, but could someone possibly slip in a thread with something positive to say about the USA? All these ugly/fat/rude American posts are really depressing. Surely the culture that produced "Baywatch" AND Ross Perot can't be ALL bad!

Sheila

perish the thought that Americans are good for nothing! <BR> <BR>After all, without you, who would the rest of us hate?(;-))