Based on 2014 WHO data, France was ranked as the 122nd fattest country in terms of mean BMI for adults of both sexes, with a mean BMI score of 25.3.
History
Obesity levels in France doubled between 1995 and 2004. In 2001 France was reported to have had the lowest obesity rate in Europe. Nord-Pas-de-Calais is considered the fattest region in France. Fifty-one percent of the population here is considered either overweight or obese. This is in contrast with France's national average at 42 percent. Between 1992 and 2000, in the region, obesity in girls doubled while the total for boys grew by 195%.
Recent history
Obesity in France has been increasingly cited as a major health issue in recent years. It is now considered a political issue whereas before it would have been an issue reported on television talk shows or in women's magazines just a few years prior. France became the first European Union country to state that childhood obesity rates have started to level off while drastic increase in childhood obesity rates continue in most European countries. France is approximately ranked in the middle European childhood obesity rates rankings. Researchers have said this is caused from "government policies, a growing awareness of the dangers of obesity and the fact that children are eating less". McDonald's is more profitable in France than anywhere else in Europe. Sales have increased 42% over the past five years. Some 1.2 million French, or 2 percent of the population, eat there every day.
Stereotype
Historically, France has been known for its slender people and longevity. This has led to their role as the "nutritional role model for Europe". Mireille Guiliano wrote the book French Women Don't Get Fat: The Secret of Eating for Pleasure which claims French women eating in the traditional way are less inclined to be obese than their American counterparts. This book is not based on science and leaves much out about French culture and government that contributes to those who fit this stereotype. Of course, there are no studies to prove this.
Causes
Blame has been put onfast food, prepared food, the widespread presences of unhealthy snacks, sedentary lifestyle and the loss of "common food culture". The French tradition of not opening the refrigerator between meals for a child isn't as prevalent it once was. Fat content in the French diet has increased steadily to the point where it is predicted that obesity-related diseases will start to increase. The French connect food to pleasure and they enjoy eating, considering meals a celebration of their cuisine.
Effects
Several studies have shown that obese men tend to have a lower sperm count, fewer rapidly mobile sperm and fewer progressively motile sperm compared to normal-weight men. Researchers in France have said that poor children were up to three times more likely to be obese compared with wealthier children. In French society, the main economic subgroup that is affected by obesity is the lower class so they perceive obesity as a problem related to social inequality.
Action
In September 2005, France passed a law banning soda-and-snack-selling vending machines from public schools and misleading television and printfood advertising. France also put in place 1.5% tax on the advertising budgets of food companies that did not encourage healthy eating. French politicians have considered obesity rate serious enough that they got local communities to govern their overweight and obesity levels through a program called Epode. Six years after the program has started, it has been considered a success with obesity rates lowered up to 25% in some communities. The cost of the program is €2 a day per child. Due to cultural issues brought in from immigration, there is no exact program format; though, a town implementing the program must offer a "menu Epode", which comprises dishes considered healthy.
Statistics
The French, along with the Italians and the Swiss, were previously considered to be among the slimmest people in Europe on average. World Health Organization data published in 2014 showed however that adult obesity rates in France were significantly ahead of the Netherlands at 19.8%, Germany at 20.1% and Italy at 21.0%.
In 2010 38.5% of men and 26% of women in France were considered overweight while 60% of men and 43% of women in Germany were considered overweight. Estimates show that 16% of French five-to-11-year-olds are obese. Obesity in that age group is set to increase to more than 20% by 2010. Obesity in children is growing at a faster rate than obesity in adults. Obesity in children is growing at a rate of 17% while obesity in adults is growing at a rate of 6%. Recent studies show a slowdown in the growth of obesity in France especially for children.
