Why do Americans struggle with watching their weight, while the French, who consume rich food, continue to stay thin? Now a study by Cornell University suggests how lifestyles and decisions about eating may affect weight. Researchers conclude that the French tend to stop eating when they feel full. However, Americans tend to stop when their plate is empty or their favorite TV show is over.
According to Dr. Joseph Mercola, a health expert, the French see eating as an important part of their lifestyle. They enjoy food and therefore spend a fairly long time at the table, while Americans see eating as something to be squeezed between the other daily activities. Mercola believes Americans lose the ability to sense when they are actually full. So they keep eating long after the French would have stopped. In addition, he points out that Americans drive to huge supermarkets to buy canned and frozen foods for the week. The French, instead, tend to shop daily, walking to small shops and farmers’ markets where they have a choice of fresh fruits, vegetables, and eggs as well as high-quality meats for each meal.
After a visit to the United States, Mireille Guiliano, author of French Women Don’t Get Fat, decided to write about the importance of knowing when to stop rather than suggesting how to avoid food. Today she continues to stay slim and rarely goes to the gym.
In spite of all these differences, evidence shows that recent lifestyle changes may be affecting French eating habits. Today the rate of obesity—or extreme overweight—among adults is only 6%. However, as American fast food gains acceptance and the young decline older traditions, the obesity rate among French children has reached 17%—and is growing.
【小题1】According to Dr. Joseph Mercola, in what way are the French different from Americans?| A．They can’t sense when actually full. |
| B．They regard eating as a key part of their lifestyle. |
| C．They usually eat too much canned and frozen food. |
| D．They go shopping at huge supermarkets more frequently. |
| A．one has to go to the gym every day |
| B．one has to know how to avoid food |
| C．when eating, one should know when to stop |
| D．when eating, one has to empty his plate every time |
| A．seek | B．prefer | C．reduce | D．refuse |
| A．lifestyle and obesity | B．children and adults |
| C．fast food and overweight | D．Americans and the French |
