Share

French best at sleeping and eating

The French are living up to their image as lovers of food and can add a new love to the mix, sleep, according to a survey.

In fact, the French excel at the two leisure activities, spending more time at table and in bed than many other nations.

The Paris-based Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development looked at the use of leisure time among 18 of its 30 member countries. Norwegians spend the most time at leisure, just over a quarter of their day, while at the low end, Mexicans spend just 16% of their time having fun.

The French still win in the sleeping and eating categories, spending on average nearly nine hours a day in bed. For the French, leisure continues in the waking hours, with more than two hours a day spent eating and drinking - nearly twice as much time at the table as Americans, Canadians or Mexicans.

American obesity rates the highest
Americans also like their sleep, spending some 8.5 hours a day doing just that. Despite the moderate amount of time Americans spend eating each day - about an hour and a quarter - US obesity rates are the highest in the 30-member OECD with 34% of the American population with a Body Mass Index, or BMI, over the critical 30 mark.

The lowest obesity rates are found in Korea, followed by Japan, with less than 4% of the population with a BMI over 30.

The Koreans followed by the Japanese clock in at the low end of the sleep spectrum, getting 7.8 hours a day with the Japanese not far behind.

The profiles on the use of leisure time were constructed by the OECD using 2006 data from the 18 member countries for which up to date surveys on use of time were available.

Television ranks high among leisure activities in Japan – where it takes up 55% of free time, compared to a low of 25% for New Zealanders.

The Turks are the most sociable population. They spend more than 35% of their time entertaining, compared to an OECD average of 11%. – (Sapa, May 2009)

Read more:
French women think they are fat
Sleep yourself slim

We live in a world where facts and fiction get blurred
Who we choose to trust can have a profound impact on our lives. Join thousands of devoted South Africans who look to News24 to bring them news they can trust every day. As we celebrate 25 years, become a News24 subscriber as we strive to keep you informed, inspired and empowered.
Join News24 today
heading
description
username
Show Comments ()
Editorial feedback and complaints

Contact the public editor with feedback for our journalists, complaints, queries or suggestions about articles on News24.

LEARN MORE