It depends where in America. For example, in Boston, people are rather slim. Why? Because very few people who actually live in Boston own a car so that means they walk a lot either to get to work or to go shopping or whatever.

But darn, people are fat in Florida.

This is the kind of stuff that only comes out of America:

this. 

Hah, I feel exactly the opposite way.  People should be able to open up whatever crappy place they want.

It's up to people to not be dumb.

And bad drivers.  I dunno what it is, but Wal-mart attracts the WORST drivers.  I don't go there simply because somebody almost hits me everytime I freakin go there.

I'm from Mississippi and I am not a fatty. There are a lot of fat people here but there are a lot of slim/fit people as well.

They do, just not everyday :P

Nah, seriously, it's hard to over-eat as much in poorer countries. But I think they do eat a lot of rice, fish/seafood and fruits and vegetables, so I guess their eating style is healthier indeed. Not that it's hard to have a healtier cousine than the USA anyway.

Also, lifestyle has a big influence. I bet they are a lot more active, working like a horse on a field and walking everywhere and all that, they're bound to be spending many more calories. Yeah, they all work on the fields. And no, I don't stereotype.

But I guess the smaller and less missigenated the country the more likely it is to have a strong genetic tendency, so that may help. That and maybe higher social pressure too, since really overweight people must be looked at much more like freaks around there.

Anyway, I'm drunk and I'm babbling, so I'll stop.

Oh, btw, the thread now gets orange when you're quoted. Nice :)

Yeah, I always park in the back of the lot since i don't want to get hit by some idiot backing up. 

I lived in Japan for a while and there were very few people that I remembered that were overweight.

I got back to America to one of the fattest cities (San Antonio, TX).  Boy, was I in for some reverse culture shock.

I totally agree that not owning a can be key, but you must live in a dense city. Many Western cities are spread out and you have to have a car to get around. Have not had a car for five months and I have to eat as much as a fat person not to become skinny. In the west people need cars, yet were less fat than the rest of the country.

Also in case you didn't look Massachusetts has been one of the least fat states for years.