Ok, here's the scoop...I've been lucky enough to broaden my horizons and see different parts of the world this year.  Namely Europe.  what blew me away is the difference in body sizes!  Ok, ok, so many other things amazed me too...the food, the people, the history and culture!  But after I got over being wowed about being in a different environment I began to really notice a different way of life in some very densely populated cities. 

First off, people walk more.  Despite the high populations of many cities and therefore, high amounts of traffic I have noticed that there are many people choosing other modes of transportation besides cars (even if they own one).  Namely walking, biking, bussing, train, and even horse and buggy!  Now of course my favorites are anything that involves using your own power to get around but I can't deny that a mercedes taxi in Germany or getting quickly across a city via train are bad either.  The difference is that people in Europe are using their bodies far more often than we North Americans.  Interesting, because they seem to be working out less!  There are far fewer gyms and when it comes to local races etc it seems that many Canadian cities get more of a response than the small events in some European cities (mind you there are some amazingly active Swedes and Finns).  Now of course I am generalizing and I have been spending most of my time inTurkey, but it is truly astonishing how many more people are over weight and obese in North America! 

The following are some key differences that I have noticed...

Europeans-walk more, eat less processed foods, eat later in the evening, eat smaller amounts,  appreciate food more, commute via their own body powered means, smoke more...

North Americans- drive more, overeat more, eat more processed food, join more gyms, walk less, smoke less...

Of course this doesn't cover it all and I am not speaking for everyone but rather in averages.  Now the question becomes which kills more people?  Heart disease or lung cancer?  So far I think that Heart disease is in the lead although lung cancer has a very low cure rate.  So if we can find a way to embrace the healthy habits of the Europeans and vice versa maybe we can live healthier and longer lives...or at least enjoy better food!