As for the subject of this thread. They say, the West is more material, east is spiritual. Ballance is somewhere in between (Europe was good example, but now it also tends to the western part).
Americans hurry living their lifes, achieving their material goals - careers, cars, houses, financial wealth.
Junk food, stresses, lack of exercise are imo some of those factors causing overweight. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/puppyeyes.gif" alt="" />