The European Healthy Way

As I write today’s column, I am on a Wellness Retreat in Croatia. One obvious contrast in Europe that I notice compared to the USA is the level of obesity. Europeans appear to be much leaner and healthier than Americans. As I travel around Europe and observe daily habits, it becomes clear why there is such a striking difference in body composition.

According to the World Health Organization and the CDC, about 42% of American adults are obese, and more than 70% are either overweight or obese. In contrast, the European Union reports far lower rates: the average obesity rate across EU countries is about 16–20%, with overweight and obesity combined at 53%. While the numbers in Europe are rising, they remain significantly below U.S. levels.

Why do Europeans tend to be leaner? Daily lifestyle choices and cultural behaviors play a major role.

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Differences I’ve Observed:

Higher Levels of Walking

Europeans walk far more in their daily lives. Cities are designed for pedestrians, public transport often requires walking to and from stops, and strolling is a common social activity.

Activities of Daily Living are More Physical

From carrying groceries home without relying on a car to climbing stairs in older buildings without elevators, small physical efforts are built into everyday routines. Europeans typically don’t rely on Amazon and DoorDash to bring their purchases to them!

Less Fast Food Access

While global chains exist, they are not nearly as dominant. Grabbing a quick drive-through meal is less common because driving itself is less central to daily life.

More Real Food, Less Processed

Meals often include fresh bread, pasta, pizza, and cheese, but these foods are typically made from fewer ingredients and less processed compared to their American counterparts. Europeans tend to lean towards home-cooked meals and smaller portions.

More Social Connection

Coffee and dining experiences are often about conversation, connection, and slowing down. Eating quickly in the car or at a desk is far less common in Europe. Communities value live music and local gatherings. Health is not just about exercise and nutrition, but equally as important, is quality relationships with friends and family.

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All of these differences add up, creating a lifestyle that naturally integrates movement, real food, and social health into everyday living—without it feeling like “exercise” or “dieting.”

That said, no culture is perfect. One unhealthy habit that does stand out in Europe is smoking, which remains more prevalent than in the USA. I find it uncomfortable to sit beside someone smoking at a café or restaurant, something that is now very uncommon in the USA. Still, the balance of lifestyle habits strongly favors better weight management and overall health.

Perhaps the greatest takeaway for us in the U.S. is that small, daily choices – not extreme diets or excessive hours in the gym – make the biggest difference to living a healthy lifestyle. 

Yours in health & fitness,
Sherri McMillan

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