Weight Loss – American Cultural Obsession or Global Concern?
I was recently looking at a news article about Weight Watchers employing Jennifer Hudson for their latest ad campaigns. And we have Jennifer Craig who rotates celebrities now – Valerie Bertinelli, James Alexander, yadda yadda. (Hey, had to do a Seinfeld commemoration!)
This all got me thinking – are Americans more obsessed with weight loss than other cultures? Or, is it perhaps the way we go about weight loss that’s different, but the obsession the same? In America, I see the ”group/assisted” programs like Jenny Craig, Weight Watchers, and LA Weight Loss, (by the way, I tried Jenny Craig, and the assistants are nothing like the celebrities belabor! I guess if you’re a celebrity maybe you get extra help!) and the mail order programs like Nutrisystem, and we have Boot Camp exercise programs, The Biggest Loser on TV, weight loss drugs, weight loss shakes, weight loss bars, and now…weight loss surgery! Sure, beyond liposuction, you can now get a sort of rubber band placed around your stomach to lose weight! We seem to want quick fixes, but we don’t seem to promote as much long-term solutions. What I mean is, you pick your method – drugs, special foods, group/assisted method, etc. and once you’ve lost the weight, you’re on your own.
In France, I feel like I’ve seen a lot more articles – magazine and stories in the news – about how to eat better. There is less focus on working out in the gym (something I found a lot less common in France, though that may be changing) and more focus on eating healthy foods, and proportions. Even though the French may not go to the gym, in my experience, they do walk and bike ride a lot as a daily habit, compiled with eating smaller portions and more homemade meals. Even in Paris, with all the sauces and foie gras, every time I spend an extended period of time there, I end up losing weight!
So, what’s your opinion – do you think weight loss is a global obsession, or something that Americans are more consumed with? I’d love to know your thoughts.
Tags: Cultural Differences, losing weight, weight loss
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So happy to read such a entertaining blog that does not fall back on lame antics to get the idea covered. Thank you for a great read.
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Heather Markel Reply:
April 20th, 2010 at 3:31 pm
Glad you liked it!
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Heather Markel Reply:
April 20th, 2010 at 3:31 pm
Glad you liked it!
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Good overall site enjoyed reading will def bookmark.
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Wow this is a great resource.. I’m enjoying it.. good article
[Reply]
Heather Markel Reply:
April 21st, 2010 at 11:31 pm
Thanks for the nice feedback!
[Reply]
Heather Markel Reply:
April 21st, 2010 at 11:31 pm
Thanks for the nice feedback!
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Americans don’t eat food, we eat processed, food-like substances. Our DNA doesn’t know what to do with it all, so we end up storing most of our calories as fat. The French, who eat butter, cheese, cream, and all those “fattening” foods, mostly eat real unprocessed food. That’s why they can stay slimmer with less work.
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Heather Markel Reply:
April 22nd, 2010 at 5:20 pm
Interesting – you make some great points! Thank you for contributing.
[Reply]
Heather Markel Reply:
April 22nd, 2010 at 5:20 pm
Interesting – you make some great points! Thank you for contributing.
[Reply]
Americans don’t eat food, we eat processed, food-like substances. Our DNA doesn’t know what to do with it all, so we end up storing most of our calories as fat. The French, who eat butter, cheese, cream, and all those “fattening” foods, mostly eat real unprocessed food. That’s why they can stay slimmer with less work.
[Reply]
Good overall site enjoyed reading will def bookmark.
[Reply]
Interesting – you make some great points! Thank you for contributing.
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