I was not referring to the quality of care available or the amount of obesity in the population but the fact that in the US many people simply cannot afford to visit a doctor for every minor complaint, some of which will develop into something serious. BTW, I chose France at random because I know about their situation. I know obesity is a serious problem in the US but perhaps we are talking at cross purposes. Let me give you an example from this country where everyone who works pays a portion of their wages toward national health or are supposed to. If I go to a doc for some simple problem like insomnia, I will pay about USD $10 and the meds will be about the same. I don't know what that would cost in the US for someone with no insurance but would guess something like $80+. If that is correct then you will see my point. Of course if you need a major procedure done, it will cost more but those under under 70 years are paying only 30% of what the doc bills to the government. People over 70 pay only 20%.