David Kessler, author of The End of Overeating: Taking Control of the Insatiable North American Appetite, has an interesting theory about this. We spoke the other day for a feature that will appear in our January 2010 issue, and during our conversation, Kessler noted that one in four Canadians are obese, compared to one in three Americans. The main reason, in his opinion? We don’t have as much variety in our grocery stores (something I’ll admit I bemoan whenever I’m walking the junk food aisle in Target) or as many chain restaurants:
“Not having that variety – when it’s highly processed food, layered and loaded with fat, sugar and salt – is a big plus. Similarly, when you drive on the highway in the States, all you see is Applebee’s, TGI Friday’s, Chili’s, Papa John’s, Krispy Kreme. You’re beginning to have that in Canada, but not to the same extent. Your environment is certainly healthier.”
Definitely food for thought. Do you agree?
2 Responses to “ Why are fewer Canadians than Americans obese? ”
Other possible (and in my opinion, more likely) reasons:
1. a different ethnic mix than the US
2. less emphasis on weight and less dieting (dieting makes people fatter, long-term)
3. safe and walkable towns and cities
I’m an American living in Canada, and let me tell you, Canadians love their donuts and fish & chips.
By Dee on Nov 1, 2009
Hello
Actually I am little bit confused between American and canadians.I think they all are similar in having food and obese.There is no difference between them.Thank you very much for sharing this with us.
By rosetaylor12 on Nov 3, 2009