The Americanization of France
France's native population may not be growing, but its net biomass seems to be increasing:
While adult obesity is rising about 6 percent annually, among children the national rate of growth is 17 percent. At that rate, the French could be - quelle horreur - as fat as Americans by 2020. . . .
Findus, the frozen food giant best known for its breaded, frozen fish filets, filmed French people eating over a period of time and was shocked by the results.
Contrary to the myth that the French spend hours sitting around the table savoring small portions of several courses, the films showed them eating in front of their television sets, while on the telephone and even alone. In fact, the average French meal, which 25 years ago lasted 88 minutes, is just 38 minutes today.
With all the awareness of obesity, there is also a countertrend. The French may have begun to embrace the large woman.
Unfortunately, their arms won't go all the way around.