By: Herman Ulfsnes

Compared to Europe, the United States has much higher rates of obesity in both adults and children. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and Prevention estimate that about 42 percent of American adults are obese, which is among the highest rates in the world. According to the World Health Organization, the average adult obesity rate in Europe is about 16 percent. The United States still has far higher rates than even the European Union. But what causes these differences in obesity?

The National Institutes of Health estimates that around 20 percent of American children are obese. Most European countries stay in the single digits, with France closer to four percent. According to the health statistics, countries in southern Europe, including Italy and Spain, also report lower childhood obesity, which connects to diets rich in vegetables, grains, and fish.

Diet, lifestyle, and policy are the main reasons for this gap. The CDC notes that American diets include more processed food, fast food, and snacks high in fat, salt, and sugar. Only 24 percent of American adults eat the recommended five servings of fruits and vegetables per day, compared to 44 percent of French adults. Drinks are another factor. According to the OECD, Americans drink far more sugary beverages. Only 37 percent of American adults limit themselves to one sweet drink per day, while 70 percent of French adults do so. These liquid calories add up fast and make weight control harder.

Portion size is also important. A study in the American Journal of Public Health shows that meal portions in the United States are much larger than in Europe. Supersized fast food meals are common in the United States but rare in European countries. Larger servings raise calorie intake before food choices are even considered.

Physical activity is another clear difference. The World Health Organization reports that only about half of American adults meet basic exercise targets, compared to about 65 percent of French adults. Europeans are more likely to walk, bike, or use public transport for daily routines. The daily activity lowers the risk of weight gain.

Cooking habits also play a role. According to the European Health Interview Survey, Europeans cook at home more often. On average, people in the European Union prepare about eight home meals per week, compared to seven in North America. Home-cooked meals are usually healthier and lower in calories than fast food or restaurant meals.

But why is it important to highlight these differences? The consequences of obesity are grave and do not only affect the individual. According to CDC, obesity increases the risk of numerous physical and psychological diseases. Physical diseases include joint problems, cancer, type 2 diabetes, and heart diseases. Psychological problems like anxiety and depression are especially related to children. The government also pay a price for people being obese, in 2019 the estimated cost of medical care cost related to obesity were 176 billion dollars in the United States. Compare this to Greece which had a total lifetime health care cost of 75 thousand dollars for obese people according to National library of medicine.

Graphic by Philip Berkwit