The advice page Thematic Files Slimming 
A few figures concerning obesity in France...
The prevalence of obesity is increasing in France:
12.4% adults were obese in 2006 in France (that is, 5.91million people), against 11.9% in 2003 and 8.2% in 1997. Obesity’s progression is, on average, 5.7% per year.
The growth in waist measurements runs parallel to the evolution in obesity and is more evident in women than men
The waist measurement has increased, on average, by 0.8% over the last 3 years, going from 87.2 centimetres in 2003 to 88.0 centimetres in 2006.
The occurrence of obesity is increasing
12.4% of the adult population is obese. Even though it is possible for the first time to see that this percentage is easing off, note should be taken of the fact that the increase in the frequency of serious forms of obesity (massive obesity) passed from 0.6% in 2003 to 0.8% in 2006.
The generational effect
* ObEpi Survey 2006