Less is More, With Food and Sex

As of 2008, only 56% of French males and 40% of French females were classified as overweight or obese, compared to 70% of American males and 62% of American females. To what do researchers attribute these differences? It may well be how the two cultures differ in their perspectives on food. Because the French are less stressed about eating and see it a pleasurable experience compared to Americans, they tend to eat less and therefore weigh less.* We can apply this same thinking to sex.

Unfortunately, the media today suggest that more is better when it comes to sex and lead people to think that everybody is having lots of sex. This is similar to the way food is presented to Americans, who are encouraged to supersize everything. While Americans love getting a lot of food for a small price, the French relish a small amount of delicious food. When is the last time you called drive-through fare “delicious”?

Sane sex is all about foregoing physical intimacy until we’re in an exclusive, loving relationship. This kind of relationship isn’t common, so there may well be less sex happening initially. When it does come, though, it will be something to relish, much like the French experience of food.

* Source – Environmental Nutrition September 2009