Nestlé, that most ethical of international food conglomerates*, will, starting today, introduce it’s Jenny Craig brand of diet to Europe. France of all places.
PARIS — Could U.S.-style diet coaching offer a solution to the rising tide of obesity in Europe?
That quote starts with a great question. “Could U.S.-style diet coaching offer a solution to the rising tide of obesity in Europe?” Well Johnny, lets go to the video tape! Both pictures below show obesity in the United States, by state.
Percent of Obese (BMI > 30) in U.S. Adults
Percent of Obese (BMI > 30) in U.S. Adults
Seems to me these pictures tell the story worth telling: American style diet plans don’t make for less obesity. Between 1994 and 2008, obesity exploded. Actually, I’ll bet that, in 2008, there were more commercial diet programs than in 1994. Perhaps the increase in obesity is due to a proliferation in diet plans?
Like most diets, they work for some people. Not real compulsive eaters, but normies who, for a short time, lose control. These are not the real compulsive eaters. Maybe the situations of their lives messed temporarily with their minds. There are lots of people who get drunk who aren’t alcoholics. There are probably people who get fat who aren’t compulsive eaters. The question becomes, can they really put the food down if they want to? I couldn’t. Not for long. Only the Overeaters Anonymous** program of 12 Steps has worked. Almost 7 years at my goal weight. Over 7 years freed from acting on the desire to eat compulsively.***
I suspect Jenny Craig will do just fine across the pond. I can’t say the same for Europeans. I have a new tag line Jenny can use on it’s pre-packaged foods: Good luck and thanks for all the money!
*Somewhere in that sentence I left out a not. Oh yeah, not the most ethical…
** Remember please, I am expressing MY opinions and most certainly not the opinion of Overeaters Anonymous which, I know with absolutely certain, has no opinion this outside issue.
*** On rare occasions I do feel like eating compulsively, I just don’t. With help from my friends in OA, I don’t need to.
4 users commented in " American Style Diets to Save Europe! "
Follow-up comment rss or Leave a TrackbackThat is pretty funny, isn’t it? So.Much.Irony.
Irony indeed. I wonder if the packaged meals in France will include a sippy box of red wine?
I want to see the map from 1921-1939. The Depression seems to be the thing keeping Americans thin – very thin.
As for Europe, who is France’s biggest food vendor? (Clue: them golden arches; not good for Coulrophobiacs)
I blame the “Freedom Fries”.
Sorry, the data I see goes back to 1985 but I didn’t include that because the coverage was very limited. 1994 is the first year with the data for all 50 US State. There is some data back to 1960 to suggest that the percent of the US population that is overweight is pretty stable BUT the percent that is obese (BMI>30) or extremely obese (BMI>40) have grown hugely. Respectively, from 13.4 to 35.1% and 0.7 to 6.2%
I had to Google Coulrophobia. I don’t think I suffered from that, but I was afraid to sit on Santa’s lap.
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