There are too many fat people in America, so many Americans are fighting against overweight. But the 1 thing is that the French,who consume rich food, tend to stay thin. Now a 2 by Cornell University points out 3 lifestyle and decisions about 4 may affect weight. Researchers concluded that the French tend to stop eating when they feel 5 . However, Americans tend to stop when their 6 are empty or their favorite TV show is over.
According to Dr. Joseph Mercola, a health expert, the French see eating 7 an important part of their lifestyle. They enjoy food and therefore spend a very 8 time at the table,while Americans see eating as anything to be squeezed in between the other daily activities. Mercola believes Americans 9 the ability to sense when they are actually full. So they keep eating long after the French would have stopped. In addition, he points out that Americans drive to huge supermarkets to buy canned and 10 foods for the week. The French, 11 , tend to shop daily, walking to small shops and farmers' markets where they have a choice of fresh fruit, vegetables rich in fiber, and eggs as well as high-quality meat for each meal.
After a visit to the United States, Mireille Guiliano, author of French Women Don't Get Fat, decided to 12 about the importance of knowing when to stop rather than suggesting how to avoid 13 . Today she continues to stay slim and rarely goes to the gym.
In spite of all these differences, evidence shows that recent lifestyle 14 may be affecting French eating habits. Today the rate of obesity(肥胖)—or extreme overweight—among adults is only 6%. However, as American fast food gains 15 and the young reject older traditions, the obesity rate among French children has reached 17%—and is growing.
