2022---nearly-one-in-two-french-people-are-overweight--obesity-on-the-rise -

: The rise of cheaper, calorie-dense convenience foods is a major contributor, with researchers noting that many people buy "bad food" primarily because it is more affordable.

Experts point to several lifestyle changes that are eroding the traditional "French Paradox" of high-fat diets paired with slim physiques: : The rise of cheaper, calorie-dense convenience foods

: The sharpest increase is among young adults aged 18 to 24, where obesity rates have quadrupled since the late 1990s. While France historically maintained lower rates than many

The prevalence of overweight and obesity in France reached a critical milestone in 2022, with —nearly one in two people—now classified as overweight . While France historically maintained lower rates than many Western neighbors, recent data reveals a steady upward trend that has public health officials concerned. Current Statistics and Trends AI responses may include mistakes

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: Rates are not uniform across the country. The highest prevalence is found in northern and eastern regions, such as Hauts-de-France (22.1%) and Grand-Est (20.2%) , while wealthier areas like Île-de-France remain below average. Driving Factors

: Approximately 17% of French adults (about 8.5 million people) are now living with obesity, a figure that has doubled since 1997 .