Not so long ago, French women didn’t get fat.

Well, now they do. And so do French men. And French kids.

Because according to the Times, France has a fat problem. Adult obesity is rising at a six percent annual rate, and the increase in the annual obesity rate among children is a bleak 17 percent. Soon, the French will be as fat as Americans—and that’s fat!

Since the French are so snotty about all this stuff, let us all pause for a moment of schadenfreude. Made only more enjoyable by the fact that we’re using a German word to make fun of the French.

It’s fascinating to see how demographic changes in the French population are forcing that country to reevaluate its traditional, change-resistant, oft-infuriating (to outsiders) culture…or to consider the ways in which that culture is honored more in the breach. Did you know, for example, that McDonalds makes more money in France than in any other European country? That must be a national scandal there….or at least enough to make half the populace go on strike.

And while a few years back, Laetitia Costa was named the new “Marianne,” or symbol of the French republic—a wise choice, I thought at the time—today fat women are showing up in fashion shows.

Of course, all this does have a serious side. While we can all enjoy a little chuckle at France’s comeuppance, there are real health issues associated with obesity, and that’s no fun for anyone in any language.

Below, a fat French woman.

www.cnao.fr

A fat American:

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And Laetitia Costa:

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