The French Paradox
Living in the US and then taking a trip to Paris France I have noticed something that is just simply a fact. The French are on balance much thinner and in much better shape than Americans. The funny thing is that I would say the French eat better quality and richer foods than Americans on the whole. Rich foods such as croissants, cheeses, wine, as well as carb rich foods such as baguette breads and other treats are often found in the French diet.
When I walked the streets of Paris and went in and out of Metro stations to use the subway system I noticed women such as one who must have been in her late 70's early 80's walking at a more brisk pace than I was at my young age. On the flip side of the coin when I returned to the US via Atlanta GA I was never so shocked to see such a percentage of obese Americans. In fact at Hartsfield airport in Atlanta GA upon arrival from the international trip from Paris the passengers arriving in the US have to check into two sets of lines. One is the line for US citizens and the other is the line for visitors. Needless to say the line holding Americans returning to the US was a line that contained on average a much greater percentage of obese people. The line of people in the visitors line (people from France and other Europeans visiting the States) consisted of almost 99% slim and in shape people. Once checking into the airport and walking around to see the American workers who work at the airport you see a bad picture where by you see what I would call almost morbidly obese people sucking on the straw of very large sodas at their counters or desks.
So given I have seen the contrast first hand this subject is a very fascinating one to me. What are the variables in play here. Does the French diet and lifestyle need to be embraced by more Americans? I would say a resounding YES to that.
Here are some statistics to consider:
"Only 8% of the French people are overweight compared to almost 50% of Americans. They live longer and have less heart disease."
Taken from This Link
That alone should create some questioning of the American diet and lifestyle.
And keep in mind the French do eat carb rich and fat rich foods yet this statistic holds.
Diet is one thing but what about lifestyle and or cultural differences in regard to eating and other activities?
I found this quote to be of interest:
"France is not a place to rush through ? and the French don't. Cashiers in crowded markets take time to chat with shoppers, while the others in line wait patiently. Diners unhurriedly converse, even if the waiter takes an eternity to get them a menu.
____Eventually, you learn the French art of slowing down and savoring the moment."
Taken from This Link
Is it possible that Americans in general are far too often in a rush and this leads to poor food choices?
Could portion size have something to do with this?
"Researchers from the University of Pennsylvania and CNRS in Paris compared the size of restaurant meals and even portions in cookbooks in France and the United States.
They weighed portions served up at 11 comparable outlets in Paris and Philadelphia. These included fast food outlets, pizzerias and ice cream parlours.
They found that Americans received substantially more on their plate."
Taken from This Link
What ever the differences the fact is very clear that the French are on to something. If I was going to suggest problems in american obesity in our culture I would guess that the large consumption of sodas and fries as well as an appitite for processed foods is largely to blame for american obesity. Of course I do not blame the foods but rather the people who consume them. One other thing I noticed from first hand experience is that in Paris it was common to see locals shop at small stores and purchase fresh breads and produce each day. In America you see people go to a mega store and stock up with $150 - $200 grocery bills to stock the shelves longer often times containing processed foods, salt laden foods, and frozen foods saturated with additives that can not be pronounced which is just the opposite of the fresh foods you see French locals buy and prepare.
One other subject I have to wonder about is the high consumption of hydrogenated fats in America as opposed to natural fats like olive oil and butter found more in the diet of the French. Not to mention the consumption of corn syrup in the US.
"High-fructose corn syrups and related sweeteners manufactured from corn starch became commercialized in the 1970s into major food additives. One food information Web site, at Oregon State University, describes the development of these sweeteners from corn starch as "one of the greatest changes in the sugar and sweetener industry over several centuries."
_
__ In 1980, soon after these substances became commercial products, Bray noted, the chart from the CDC demonstrates the beginning of a sharp rise in obesity for both men and women. From 1980 to 2000, the incidence of obesity at least doubled for men and women in the United States, while obesity had remained relatively flat for the preceding 20 years.
He said fructose, sweeter than either sucrose or glucose, sidesteps certain key regulatory processes in the body. For example, it does not stimulate insulin, which is believed to be part of an important feedback pathway involved with feelings of fullness._
__ At the same time, it stimulates formation of fat cells more than other sweeteners.
_
__ "Once inside the cell, it forms the backbone for fat molecules," he said of a key breakdown product of fructose."
Taken from This Link
I believe this is an interesting subject and one that needs attention as the health related costs which harm quality of life of those plagued by obesity and indeed society at large pays a huge price because of this issue.
What are your thoughts over this subject?
Your opinions are welcome,
Fellows
When I walked the streets of Paris and went in and out of Metro stations to use the subway system I noticed women such as one who must have been in her late 70's early 80's walking at a more brisk pace than I was at my young age. On the flip side of the coin when I returned to the US via Atlanta GA I was never so shocked to see such a percentage of obese Americans. In fact at Hartsfield airport in Atlanta GA upon arrival from the international trip from Paris the passengers arriving in the US have to check into two sets of lines. One is the line for US citizens and the other is the line for visitors. Needless to say the line holding Americans returning to the US was a line that contained on average a much greater percentage of obese people. The line of people in the visitors line (people from France and other Europeans visiting the States) consisted of almost 99% slim and in shape people. Once checking into the airport and walking around to see the American workers who work at the airport you see a bad picture where by you see what I would call almost morbidly obese people sucking on the straw of very large sodas at their counters or desks.
So given I have seen the contrast first hand this subject is a very fascinating one to me. What are the variables in play here. Does the French diet and lifestyle need to be embraced by more Americans? I would say a resounding YES to that.
Here are some statistics to consider:
"Only 8% of the French people are overweight compared to almost 50% of Americans. They live longer and have less heart disease."
Taken from This Link
That alone should create some questioning of the American diet and lifestyle.
And keep in mind the French do eat carb rich and fat rich foods yet this statistic holds.
Diet is one thing but what about lifestyle and or cultural differences in regard to eating and other activities?
I found this quote to be of interest:
"France is not a place to rush through ? and the French don't. Cashiers in crowded markets take time to chat with shoppers, while the others in line wait patiently. Diners unhurriedly converse, even if the waiter takes an eternity to get them a menu.
____Eventually, you learn the French art of slowing down and savoring the moment."
Taken from This Link
Is it possible that Americans in general are far too often in a rush and this leads to poor food choices?
Could portion size have something to do with this?
"Researchers from the University of Pennsylvania and CNRS in Paris compared the size of restaurant meals and even portions in cookbooks in France and the United States.
They weighed portions served up at 11 comparable outlets in Paris and Philadelphia. These included fast food outlets, pizzerias and ice cream parlours.
They found that Americans received substantially more on their plate."
Taken from This Link
What ever the differences the fact is very clear that the French are on to something. If I was going to suggest problems in american obesity in our culture I would guess that the large consumption of sodas and fries as well as an appitite for processed foods is largely to blame for american obesity. Of course I do not blame the foods but rather the people who consume them. One other thing I noticed from first hand experience is that in Paris it was common to see locals shop at small stores and purchase fresh breads and produce each day. In America you see people go to a mega store and stock up with $150 - $200 grocery bills to stock the shelves longer often times containing processed foods, salt laden foods, and frozen foods saturated with additives that can not be pronounced which is just the opposite of the fresh foods you see French locals buy and prepare.
One other subject I have to wonder about is the high consumption of hydrogenated fats in America as opposed to natural fats like olive oil and butter found more in the diet of the French. Not to mention the consumption of corn syrup in the US.
"High-fructose corn syrups and related sweeteners manufactured from corn starch became commercialized in the 1970s into major food additives. One food information Web site, at Oregon State University, describes the development of these sweeteners from corn starch as "one of the greatest changes in the sugar and sweetener industry over several centuries."
_
__ In 1980, soon after these substances became commercial products, Bray noted, the chart from the CDC demonstrates the beginning of a sharp rise in obesity for both men and women. From 1980 to 2000, the incidence of obesity at least doubled for men and women in the United States, while obesity had remained relatively flat for the preceding 20 years.
He said fructose, sweeter than either sucrose or glucose, sidesteps certain key regulatory processes in the body. For example, it does not stimulate insulin, which is believed to be part of an important feedback pathway involved with feelings of fullness._
__ At the same time, it stimulates formation of fat cells more than other sweeteners.
_
__ "Once inside the cell, it forms the backbone for fat molecules," he said of a key breakdown product of fructose."
Taken from This Link
I believe this is an interesting subject and one that needs attention as the health related costs which harm quality of life of those plagued by obesity and indeed society at large pays a huge price because of this issue.
What are your thoughts over this subject?
Your opinions are welcome,
Fellows
Comments
Note that even in France there is two way of eating : the traditionnal one (what you discribe as french) and the new one (processed food, sodas, eating all day long, watch tv) that lead to obesity.
I think what you discribed the french way : the traditional way of eating : three meal per day : no food between them, good qualitie, no soda, exercice, eat slowly ... is the way you eat food in US some decades ago.
My wife, try to do honest cooking (she is a good cooker 8) ). We have three meals per day, and she oblige us to eat together. There is only water at meals (no sodas), very few processed food, olive oil ...
We spent a lot of money in food, but luckily we can afford it.
We try to limit the number of hours per day that our kids spend in front of TV (otherwise they will watch TV far too much). And we try to promote exercice.
However my current problem with my youngest daughter is to force her to eat (obesity is not his problem right now
Originally posted by Scott
One flaw in your thinking is that everything else is equal. Gentically the US is not equal to France.
I am sure genetics is a factor in this but I am not so sure diet and lifestyle accounts for at least 75% of the picture. In the stat above in my opening post about Corn Syrup sweeteners and all the sudden a spike in american obesity is noticed a doubling no less one has to question all the Coke, Sprite, Dr. Pepper we drink here in the US. Such consumption is seen far less in Paris.
Fellows
Like fats and grease and junk food has a bigger effect on Oriental people (cholesterol was hardly known in the orient before long ago...). Also, populations in Africa are just not used to certain fiber, etc.
The United States (given that 99% of the population is not indigenous) doesnt really have a given food culture. It just adapts to certain imports from the many populations that live within its borders... we got frankfuters from the German immigrants, pasta and pizza from the I-talians, potatos from a bit all over, etc...
Originally posted by Scott
One flaw in your thinking is that everything else is equal. Gentically the US is not equal to France.
The difference between the french way of eating and the american way is that many french people eat basically the same way as 50 years ago. The american way has changed dramatically. The worst image of diet is drinking beer, and eating pop corn in front of TV.
The genetical differences (not that high) are less importants than the habits.
Originally posted by ZO
shooting off the top of my head....
Most valid points you make ZO however even the US for many years had long periods of low obesity. It is only in the last 20 or so years things have really exploded.
I attribute a lot of this to corn syrup sweetened sodas. And today you see large portion sized sodas. Look at "Big gulp" soda sizes at 7 Eleven stores. Cokes going from 8 oz bottles years ago to 12 oz cans to 16 oz plastic bottles.
We see an evolution of bad habits sneaking into the american diet. First is corn syrup then portion size explosion. Not good and this is just soda here but one of the factors.
Fellows
Scientific American had an article somewhat on this topic. It had very good examples of genetically similar groups in the US and Mexico that showed great differences in body weight. Rather than focus on diet the rest of the article focused on genes and the metabolism related to obesity. Rather disappointing.
Originally posted by tonton
Sorry, but Germans in general (in the big cities, anyway) are every bit as fat as Americans. So are Italians in many regions.
You will notice I was comparing the French with Americans.
Not the Germans with Americans or the Italians with the Americans.
Just to be clear,
Fellows
The worst image of diet is drinking beer, and eating pop corn in front of TV.
Damn you, Powerdoc. Damn you to hell.
Originally posted by murbot
Damn you, Powerdoc. Damn you to hell.
Well, but you practice so much exercice, Murbot, so much horizontal exercices ....
Originally posted by tonton
Sorry, but Germans in general (in the big cities, anyway) are every bit as fat as Americans. So are Italians in many regions.
I am not sure that this is accurate, statistically. I am not absolutely sure that it is not accurate either, but it is contrary to what I have observed (Germany only - I have never been to Italy) and what I understood to be the case. I'll try to see if stats are available online.
Limiting portions is the first thing to do if you want to lose weight. Just make sure you don't cut out veggies and vitamins when you do it (which are usually low calorie anyway).
Originally posted by tonton
Sorry, but Germans in general (in the big cities, anyway) are every bit as fat as Americans. So are Italians in many regions.
That is so far from true its amazing!!!! . . . when was the last time you were in the States.
There are a few older men and women in European environments that become rotund with age
but
whenever I get back from Europe I am STUNNED . . . . even today I am stunned after having been here for a long stint (4 years straight
Americans are obese! Outside of Northern California its as if when you get to the age of 27+ you are expected to BLIMP! . . . it is unbelievable!
and guess what Scott . . . the French are genetically made up of Gauls, Germanic tribes (Franck, Visigoths, etc), Romans and Some Saxon's and Danes as well . . besides the more recent immigrant influxes . . .Europe is not Iceland as far as genetic diversity (sure it isn't the US . ..)
It isn't just Europe that has a ratio of obesity far less than the US . . . the other countries mentioned, where immagrants come from, also have much thinner people:
Main reasons:
Walking (much walking in countries that were not designed around cars! In Europe there are Public Spaces organized around the daily ritual of walking, and all ages do it, from teh most stylish hipster to the older folks . . . old city centers)
Diet (can you say McFood!)
Sedentary Lifestyle and no time for the average working stiff to excerrcise . . . also, not as much a a community sport spirit . .
Get off your fat ass if you're going to be eating American sized portions.
As for that getupmove site, that's cool stuff. DDR is an awesome game, no wonder why all my friends are freakishly thin...
Originally posted by pfflam
Main reasons:
Walking (much walking in countries that were not designed around cars! In Europe there are Public Spaces organized around the daily ritual of walking, and all ages do it, from teh most stylish hipster to the older folks . . . old city centers)
Diet (can you say McFood!)
Sedentary Lifestyle and no time for the average working stiff to excerrcise . . . also, not as much a a community sport spirit . .
Bingo! And bingo again Eugene. You know that stuff doctors say about 20 - 30 minutes of exercise a day? Total and utter CRAP. They just say that because they can't face the truth themselves about how much exercise is really required to maintain a normal weight. One hour absolute minimum I'd guess is more like it but 2 hours a day is probably an even safer bet. And none of this nancying about - hard, slog exercise that's what you've got to do. Do that and I can just about guarantee you'll not only lose weight, you won't want to put crap food in your body.
I see a lot of overweight kids in my business and that really bothers me. Except where there is a real health issue (which is rare), kids just should not be obese/overweight. But you can't advise them or their parents to do something about it because then little Mary-Jane might become anorexic. But of course, the great irony is far more kids are obese than ever develop any form of anorexia.