I know this sounds impolite. The truth usually does.

Americans are obese because their quality of life has been high for over half a century. An average American family can supply any visitor with a guest room. The Big Apple is the big exception. Americans can effortlessly feed these guests and in most parts of the country can even lend them an old car. The garbage cans of Americans is packed with food and merchandise that the needy could use.

Once you are well off, you get more and more leisure time. So what do you do? You watch TV, eat and drink more, go for more outings. All of this means more food, more dates, more talk. And what can you talk about with greatest ease? Your food, love and politics.

Those who talk about sex and politics like others who share their pastimes. But "obsessed" is not the right word to describe them. Too much free time brings increases the need for nourishment for body and mind.

I hope you do not think I am being unfair. I lived for a few years in Connecticut, and, in fact, love those I met. I just can't understand why so many Americans are obese when in all their films everybody is slim and loves jogging. Americans aren't too obsessed with sports either.