American Kids Love Fries, But Not Exercise

Here’s a one-two punch to the future waistline of America. Kids in the U.S. eat more fries and exercise less than children in many other countries, according to a World Health Organization study that examined the behavior of 120,000 school-age children in 26 European countries and Canada and the U.S.

Only two-thirds of American kids log more than two hours of exercise a week, while 80% of Austrian and German kids get their two hours a week, according to an Associated Press report. In addition, a whopping 31% of American 15-year-olds eat fries every day, which places the U.S. among the top-five fry-eating nations in the study. Pass the ketchup.

Not content to rest on their laurels, U.S. kids also made the coveted top-three spot in sweets and soft drink consumption. But it’s not all bad news. American kids ranked 24th out of 28 other nations in daily smoking, perhaps because most fast food joints don’t allow it.