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We have a dramatic weight problem indeed, and it's partly because of new processed foods, but also because the current fat old generation is the first one to have no food shortage whatsoever.
Our traditional foods are actually quite fat (especially in Germanic Europe, where it's a heap of fat), and this tradition is only normal in the light of the food shortages our peasantry had to fight for millenia: at that time, you ingurgitated the most nourishing food you could.
At least in France, the government initiatives don't favour traditional foods (except wine), but healthy, vegetable heavy diets. Over here, the fattest are often the poorest, because they can only afford cheap unhealthy food. Besides, uneducated populations are also more likely not to have a good nutrition.
Over here, we have done several things to curb the progression of the fatties: our school restaurants are relatively fat-light and vegetable-heavy ("relatively" being the key word). We have begun removing soda automatic distributors in schools and replacing them by fruit automats. There are more courses that explain how to keep slim. But these initiatives can't solve the main problem, which is that we have a very sedentary lifestyle now, and that we eat probably more enegry than ever before.
Our traditional foods are actually quite fat (especially in Germanic Europe, where it's a heap of fat), and this tradition is only normal in the light of the food shortages our peasantry had to fight for millenia: at that time, you ingurgitated the most nourishing food you could.
At least in France, the government initiatives don't favour traditional foods (except wine), but healthy, vegetable heavy diets. Over here, the fattest are often the poorest, because they can only afford cheap unhealthy food. Besides, uneducated populations are also more likely not to have a good nutrition.
Over here, we have done several things to curb the progression of the fatties: our school restaurants are relatively fat-light and vegetable-heavy ("relatively" being the key word). We have begun removing soda automatic distributors in schools and replacing them by fruit automats. There are more courses that explain how to keep slim. But these initiatives can't solve the main problem, which is that we have a very sedentary lifestyle now, and that we eat probably more enegry than ever before.
I didn't notice anything of this when I was there. Of course, my attention may have been attracted by the other 62%. 
I personally can't believe they freaking have fast food there.
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