It doesn’t take a genius to know America is obese. Just take a look at the image below and you can get a better understanding of obesity in America
The question is what makes us so different from the other countries? Don’t fret, I go to college now so I can give you the answer! This week in my nutrition class we learned the difference between the other countries (we’ll take France for example) and this great Western land.
Though Americans are reported to be more health conscious than France we still seem to be fatter. While US is at a whopping 30 % Obesity rate France is at a mere 10 %. So, what’s the difference? We’ll begin with portion size. Serving sizes are generally 25 % smaller in France. Even at fast food restaurants a portion size at Burger King is 115 grams less in France than in the United States.
While it is true that in France their meals are typically more calorie dense; they also spend more time eating their food. They focus on quality rather than quantity. For Americans we are all about eating on the go or taking the check a few minutes after our meal is served. In France eating is a big event. The French experience less stress and more pleasure in eating while Americans seem to always focus on the consequences of eating.
Another lifestyle the French have to keep them thin is exercise. They walk everywhere, and even though Americans work out we still drive in a parking lot forever just to find the spot closest to the grocery store! The French have created a lifestyle where they don’t snack as often and work exercise into their daily routine.
We all have the same hypothalamus (the part of our brain that tells us we are hungry) so there are no excuses there. It might help for us Americans to take a few tips from the French!
My Goals:
Don't eat so fast
Enjoy my food
Work exercise into my daily routine (which I'll admit is pretty to easy do on campus)
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