The most famous is the French Paradox. They eat more saturated fat than we do in Britain; they smoke more, take less exercise, have the same cholesterol/LDL levels, they also have the same average blood pressure and the same rate of obesity. And you know what? They have one quarter the rate of heart disease we do. The official explanation is that the French are protected from heart disease by drinking red wine, eating lightly cooked vegetables and eating garlic. But there is no evidence that any of these three factors are actually protective. None. By evidence, I mean a randomised, controlled clinical study
Some researcher's doubt that the French people of the age to be dying of heart disease when the idea of the French paradox was coined (1990's) actually had eaten a diet higher in fat. It was not until 1985 that the intake of fat in France increased to equal that in the US.(the original idea concerned France/US) For comparison In 1970 they consumed less than that in the UK .(France 35% of energy, UK 39%)( :Source British Heart foundation statistics)
As for today rather than historical data.
Do they actually smoke more, are they the same weight... and what about alcohol?
United Kingdom /
France
Per capita recorded alcohol consumption (litres of pure alcohol) among adults (>=15 years)
11.8 (2003)
11.4 (2003)
Prevalence of adults (>=15 years) who are obese (%) female
23.0 (2002) 11.3%(2003
Prevalence of adults (>=15 years) who are obese (%) male
22.3 (2002) 11.4%(2003)
Prevalence of current tobacco use among adults (>=15 years) (%) both sexes ?
35.7 (2005)
31.7 (2005) (source WHO)
What about consumption of fat today then ?
UK 1995, 38-39% sat fat 15-17% (has declined slightly since but I haven't a French later figure)
France 1999 37-40%, Sat fat 15%
There seems to be a lot of myth in Kendrick's statements. particularly about obesity. One thing is evident today is that the French have the
lowest obesity rate in Europe, though it is rising.
One reason that this might be is smaller portion: sizes are smaller not only in restaurants but also in recipe books. (ROZIN P, KABNICK K, FISCHLER C & SHIELDS C. The ecology of eating Psychological Science 2003))
From personal observation in the SW, the area ofen equated with the French paradox. They seem to snack far less,(people don't snack), eat a very regular meal pattern, have less access to ( or demand for?) over processed and fast foods. They also appear to eat far more fish and more fruit than in the UK. The staple necessity to accompany every meal is fresh, good quality bread, bakeries are even open on Christmas day. As to alcohol/wine, yes it's drunk but there is no binge drinking and in restaurants one quite often sees half a carafe left on the table at the end of the meal...can you imagine that happening in the UK.
The whole culture of eating and mealtimes is very different.
And they move more. I quite often see very elderly people on their daily walks.
As to cholesterol/BP etc I refer you to the Monica study, particularly the levels for Toulouse as I've written enough!
.
http://whqlibdoc.who.int/publications/2003/9241562234_p198-238.pdf