Americans are fat.

I know it's rude to say so, but it's true.

Not every American is fat, of course, but there's definitely a noticeable predisposition there. Last time I was home, I took the children to a Chili's restaurant (not a representative sample of Americans, I know), and of the five tables surrounding me, only one eater was slim.

Nigerians, on the other hand, are generally not fat. In fact, most are quite slim. Some of the ladies "got back" if you know what I mean, but that's the way God intended!

So what's going on here? Is it genetic? Is it physical activity? Nigerians definitely walk a lot more than we do. Is it the culture, socioeconomic factors? Yes, yes, yes and yes.

But here's what I think is really to blame...

It is the American diet. A greater proportion of the food available in America is processed, packaged and commercially prepared. According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, diets historically high in complex carbohydrate/high fiber foods and lower in fat have been replaced by foods high in refined carbohydrates (e.g. refined sugars), fat, sodium, and low in fruits and vegetables.

I am no scientist, but using my own diet as a case study (very unscientific, but observable nonetheless), I have noticed that my intake of fast food, snack foods, desserts and other processed foods has taken a nosedive. It's just not that available here. And if it is, it's expensive! As a result, if you are hungry, you make yourself something to eat, using fresh, whole foods—no preservatives, no fillers. I am not saying I am making better choices ... I just don't have a choice! (which is great, because my discipline is nil when it comes to food.)

And let's talk about portion sizes... In America—from the restaurants to the packaging in the grocery stores—our portions are huge! Most of the packaged food in Lagos is imported from Europe, Asia or the Middle East, and packaged in smaller portions. No family size bags of Lays potato chips here. Heck, I can't even buy milk by the gallon! As a result, you instinctively take less. One cookie instead of a handful; half a glass of juice instead of a full eight-ounce glass. And don't even get me started on ice cream! If you decide to splurge on a carton, you certainly make it last by taking only a little bit at a time.

One of my favorite bloggers, Garance Doré, a French transplant living in New York, has herself battled with weight gain as a result of the portions in American restaurants. In her post "New York Skinny Paris Skinny" she writes:

"Have you ever seen the size of plates in New York? BIG. You understand right away [why] the doggy bag concept that makes everyone laugh in France. Really though, with one plate, you could easily make two real meals out of it. But unfortunately your eyes and body get accustomed so fast to the giant mounds [that] and you find yourself finishing your entire plate without even realizing it." (Her blog is translated from French to English, so I took the liberty of editing a bit.)

It's not just an American problem, any more. It's global.

Global obesity levels have doubled since 1980, according to a recent report. And this week, the United Nations is meeting to discuss a measure to address non-communicable diseases, such as heart disease, stroke and diabetes. This is only the second time a health issue has been debated at a special meeting of the U.N.'s General Assembly. The first was the group's pledge to take on AIDS a decade ago.

World Health Organization Director-General Margaret Chan said the rise of these diseases is being driven by urbanization and "unhealthy lifestyles," prompted by systemic use of alcohol, tobacco and readily available processed foods.

"For a growing number of people, (those foods) are the quickest ways to fill their stomachs," she said.

So what's to be done? The United Nations wants companies that produce food, alcohol and tobacco products to implement "broad-sweeping policy shifts to achieve lasting changes," whatever that means. And, of course, public awareness is high on the U.N.'s list of recommendations.

The best solution is just to avoid the bad stuff, but that's sooooooo hard to do when everything you see, hear and smell is inviting you to indulge more! Even movies have product placements embedded in their story lines now. (I'm looking at you, Twilight series. Who didn't want a Volvo after watching Edward rescue Bella from those street thugs?)

So remove yourself from temptation. Go someplace where the ads can't reach you, and McDonald's isn't conveniently located on every corner. In other words, come to Lagos! It's a city and a diet plan! And as an added bonus, we'll throw in a nice bacterial infection about once a year that will help you vomit away those unwanted pounds.

I may have just single-handedly solved the world's obesity problem. Who needs the U.N.?

Now all that's left to do is sit here and wait here for those Nobel people to call.