I've been lucky enough to go abroad on just a few occasions, but what they say is true: People in most other countries just don't weigh as much as we do.

This came in my email today from Quality Health. I've copied and pasted it here, otherwise you'll have to answer their little surveys:

The Dirty Truth

Think you're not at risk? Think again. About 76 million (or nearly one in four) Americans are afflicted with a foodborne illness each year, and about half of those come after eating at a restaurant. Here are two chains that were linked to highly publicized instances of foodborne illnesses.

A few months ago, I read about a 42-year old man who lost 80 pounds (in 6 months) by eating at McDonalds! Is this true? I believe his cholesterol went down, too, as he was eating salads and wraps (instead of burgers and fries).

Many of us have seen the movie "Super Size Me", in which the guy ate exclusively at McDonalds and gained weight, had high cholesterol, blood pressure, aches and pains, and numerous other health conditions. I think the 42-year old's diet was to disprove some of the movie's conclusions.

THURSDAY, Feb. 21 (HealthDay News) -- The large number of fast food commercials on Spanish-language television in the United States may be contributing to the obesity epidemic among Hispanic youths, new research suggests.

Among American children, Hispanics have the highest rates of overweight and obesity.