I wouldn't dispute this. But we do have a gym/exercise culture where we didn't have one only around 30-40 years ago.



There are, though problems with a lot of gyms demanding a year's money up front.



I walk a lot. Indeed, that's pretty much what I was referring to in terms of the French example – they walk more than us in the course of everyday life, but don't have the same level of gym use etc.



I'm an old person, remember!

Fair point.
They also have aisle upon aisle of things that should be only an occasional treat but these things are now seen as staples by many (most?) customers.

Why are so many people fat?
I put it down to the convenience of crap... or the crap of convenience ...
i.e. Bought sandwiches now routinely contain mayo (which is largely fat and extra to what to you would have eaten otherwise), workplaces and schools have confectionery-vending machines, many ready-meals are fat-laden (again extra), portion sizes in general are larger, fast-food is gulped down quicker than the appetite satiation sensors can tell you you've had enough, people take the bus to go one stop or drive when they are only going half a mile, etc etc.
It's just so eeeaaasy to get fat.

It only takes an extra Snickers bar 5 days out of 7 and, inside a year, you'll be 24 pounds heavier, unless you run for 2.5 hours per week to use it up.

I've been getting 4 a day down, for a quid, from my local corner shop.

Usually stick them in the freezer for an hour first to stiffen them up.

It's not just the mayo, the sandwich bread itself is a major problem. Bread made by the Chorleywood process will fill you up at first but is digested so quickly, the satisfaction rarely lasts long. Even wholemeal and granary slices aren't filling, that's why I often see people eating a couple of store-bought sandwiches then looking to suuplement them with crisps or "chocolate" bars. If they made a sandwich from proper bread, they'd have no need for the "extras"

Aye, I had some [iVillage Bakery White Sliced[/i cr@p, this morning with bacon and egg in a triple decker sarnie. Wasn't good. Hopefully it'll break up and be untasteable in my lunch of[iHeinz Tomato Soup[/i. (I'll use a couple of slices for filling). I'll wash that down with a large Brandy in a white coffee, then I'm off down the local for some Stella. Perhaps a delivered takeaway later because I doubt I'll be @rsed to cook.

If only I was joking.