More than 2 in 3 adults are considered to be overweight or obese. Obesity is a growing problem throughout the world. The risks associated with obesity are continuing to rise as well as the number 
of people who are obese. Many factors can be contributed to obesity such as lack of exercise and choices of food. While this problem has been prominent in the US recently, the French are not accustomed to problems associated with weight. The French have been known in the past for their slim figures and well balanced diets. With fast food and processed food becoming more popular globally, the French are starting to feel the effects.
Why is it just starting now?
For a long time, the French were exempt from the worldwide epidemic of obesity. Even with their baguettes and fancy pastries, the French knew what was good for them and what wasn’t. In recent years though, the eating habits of the French have changed drastically. Meals were once long 
drawn-out affairs that could last over an hour and a half and are now lasting maybe thirty minutes. French meals are becoming more relaxed and are not as close to tradition as they once were. The French people eat fewer formal meals now than they did. Their meals are no longer 3-5 courses and are being rushed through compared to a more traditional meal. Whereas snacking used to be frowned upon, it is common now for someone to come home and open up the refrigerator and grab something to eat. Snacking is a trend that has made its way to France with the rising popularity of pre-packaged foods and vending machines that tend to have food with higher fat content and calories. With the rising popularity of fatty foods comes the alarmingly fast rise in obesity rates throughout France. The country has experienced a 5% increase annually since 1997 and the obesity rate in France has gone from 8% to 14% in just 10 years.
French food used to be fresh and healthy and home cooked meals were the norm. Recently, the food eaten during meals has changed to more to already prepared foods or fast food restaurants. The convenience of fast food and vending machines is a hard temptation to resist. Where once the French would shop at local markets and butchers, they are now shopping at supermarkets and buying more frozen foods or packaged ingredients. This is a drastic change in their diets that their bodies probably aren’t prepared for. The French are known for their vineyards and their fancy wines and cheeses. Wine used to be a staple during meals along with water but these drinks are now being replaced by soft drinks and sugary fruit juices. Even though some French foods are definitely unhealthier than some prepared foods, most authentic French foods are considered to be better for you.
Globalization is said to have had a great impact on the eating habits of the French. With more and more tourists and immigrants comes more and more diversity and customs. In the US it is not uncommon for people to eat anywhere and everywhere. We eat walking down the street, in our cars, at our desks, and wherever else is convenient for us to eat. This trend has been occurring more in France recently especially among young people. I think it’s interesting to see how different cultures have different customs with regards to food. The United States is very laid back with food and how we eat our meals. Food isn’t considered an art in the United States and meals are typically eaten in a hurry and while watching television. It’s interesting that most countries frown upon the frivolous way we eat. People all around the world have different habits when they eat and it looks like the French are starting to acquire those bad habits.
How the French are responding
The educational poster to the right states that obesity kills and has 
been used throughout France to help fight obesity. The ever increasing obesity rate in France has alarmed the government and physicians. Laws were passed that banned vending machines selling soft drinks and snacks form public schools. The nation launched an advertising campaign that encouraged healthy foods, not snacking, and more regular physical exercise. Laws in France also removed misleading television ads and labels on food. Although, other legislation including requiring warnings on packages, similar to warnings on cigarettes, was vetoed. Many nutritionist and other doctors are worried by the number of people who are obese and are hoping that easy changes in one’s lifestyle can help prevent the outcome of obesity. I think it’s really interesting that something that has been such a concern for a while in the United States is so new to some countries. France is facing similar problems to those in the United States. While the obesity rate is significantly lower in France than it is here, I think that it’s good for France to try and be proactive about it now even though it isn’t as severe of a problem as it is in other places. Their take-charge attitude about nutrition and exercise could be what saves France from obesity.
While France is new to the plaguing problem of obesity, the United States is not. Since obesity has been significantly increasing in recent years, the government has taken notice and started a campaign to reduce the rising rate of obesity. The question is: will their efforts that are similar to those in the US really help France? The same techniques being implemented in France have also been used in the US but with little success. Will France think of a solution to fix obesity for everybody?
http://www.nytimes.com/2006/01/25/international/europe/25obese.html?_r=0
http://www.nytimes.com/2005/05/03/world/europe/03iht-obese.html?pagewanted=all
http://www.npr.org/2011/08/06/139042221/the-french-are-getting-fatter-too
Reflective Memo:
My goal with this essay was to illustrate how obesity can affect any part of the world and that no one is immune to it, even those countries that are said to be weight conscious. I think I accomplished my goal in informing people of how obesity is a problem everywhere. It was important to include which specific factors the French contribute obesity to as these factors could potentially be remedied not only in France but also in the United States. I think the statistics regarding the alarmingly fast rising obesity rate in France was the most supportive. Obesity is a problem everywhere but for France, the problem is increasing much more rapidly than anticipated. I think that I did a good job in explaining the problem and going through each factor that France contributes to it. The place where I struggled was probably the conclusion. I felt that it was hard to conclude the essay without sounding too rudundant.
French Food Fanatic 