Culture

The Skinny on How the French Don't Get Fat

There has been much written on why the French don't get fat.  Most say it's the way food is eaten and the portion sizes.  While this is true, after spending a year living in Paris, I thought of 10 non-food related reasons that aren't usually mentioned.

1. Parisians often commute by walking and/or public transportation as opposed to driving

Without having to drive everywhere, they keep moving and in doing so, exercise throughout the day.  It all contributes to those recommended 10,000 steps to take each day.

2. When the French walk, they speed walk

Whether it's up the street or down the stairs to the Metro, Paris is a fast-paced pedestrian city.  On a high-speed moving walkway in the Châtelet Metro station?  Keep on walking - and fast.   What's more, no one waits for pedestrian traffic lights to turn green at street intersections.  Keep that in mind, or you might get left behind!

3. There's not much clothing sold in larger sizes

With Paris being the fashion capital of the world, perhaps it's this catwalk influence that one simply cannot see many sizes beyond size 10 available.  If you want to buy the latest clothing styles, then this would be an impetus to watch your weight.

4. Cigarette smoking everywhere

Smoking is known to be an appetite suppressant.  Even though there is a by-law banning smoking in restaurants - it's still everywhere, almost engrained in French culture.  Even if you're a non-smoker, second-hand smoke can still suppress appetite.

5. Societal pressure

There is an expectation to live up to the promoted non-fatness of the French - particularly for women.  Pharmacies tout weight loss remedies for keeping thin and related to point (3) above, clothing stores reinforce this expectation.

6. Lack of air-conditioning in the summer

Most likely where you live, excluding the West Coast, you're accustomed to air conditioning during the summer months.  This is not the norm in Paris when the thermometer can soar to 100+ F.   With all of this heat, it's easy to want to eat less.

7. Building architecture

Living in an apartment building in Paris usually means having one of those beautiful spiral staircases in the lobby.  It also often means no elevator!  So if you're on the 5th floor for example, that's 80-90 stairs to reach home.

8. Lifestyle

Paris is a city full of activities and it's unusual to stay at home.  With fewer chances to sit on the couch and eat junk food, the pounds don't slowly appear.

9. Buying groceries

This one is actually food-related, but it is also linked to points (2) and (7).  Shopping for groceries in Paris means walking to a local outdoor market or supermarket, carrying everything home and walking up those stairs.  Fast walking and carrying groceries are a nice exercise combination.

10. Late dinner hour

Last but not least, dinnertime in France is usually after 7 PM, and on some occasions, even hours later!  With lunch time the usual noon to 2 PM time, this means Parisians can go anywhere from 7-9 hours without eating (since snacking is not a custom.)  After such a long period of time without food, appetite can be naturally suppressed. 

And voilà, a completely unsubstantiated skinny on how the french stay thin.  Bon appétit!