Fast-food restaurants and jumbo American-style portions appear to be to blame, coupled with fatty foods that are not only plentiful, but often cheaper than fresh, healthful food. For example, Krispy Kreme doughnuts arrived in England this month at the food section of the upscale Harrods department store -- evidence, the New York Times said, of how familiar American-style eating habits have become in most of Europe.

The percentage of obese British adults was reported to be three times what it was just two decades ago, the fastest-growing rate in Western Europe. An estimated 21 percent of men and 23.5 percent of women are now considered obese, compared with 27 percent of men and 34 percent of women in America.

Sedentary lifestyles are also a contributing factor, experts say. But, most of all, they say, Europeans are eating more like Americans.