At first you may think you've come to a country where being overweight is against the law, where fatness is a mortal sin. You may wonder how it is that in a country with such a passion for food, everyone seems underfed. You may find yourself perplexed to see so many vices being committed with impunity. It is true that much of what one associates with classical French food is the rich sauce, the buttery and sweet bakery delights. But these do not constitute the average diet-they are special treats.
Quality is important, and as in every aspect of French life, so is moderation.
A second reason for the relatively petite waistlines of the French comes from the fact that Parisians are obliged to be rather active in their daily routines. There is less reliance on cars, more steps to climb, more stops on the shopping circuit, and fewer hours spent mindlessly glued to televisions. One must remember also that in France, personal style and the public self is taken seriously. The French don't like going out if they don't look great. One's physical appearance is thus very important.