Just like in the United States, obesity is getting to be a problem in Germany because kids are watching more and more TV and eating prepared food. Fast food is becoming more popular but since it is more expensive in Germany than in the United States, it is still a special treat for most kids. Also, people avoid eating hamburgers because they are afraid of getting mad cow disease.

All kids in every grade do sports in school for two hours, once a week. Besides this requirement they can also do sports in the afternoon if they like. In general, German people are very health conscious and they emphasize preventing illness as well as curing it. You can buy health foods, vitamins, organically grown foods and herbal teas at special grocery stores. There are also places where preventive medicine is practiced. This can be a spa or a resort that is famous for its fresh air. A few days at a spa can do wonders for anyone's health, even if it's just to relax you.

People in Germany are not as conscious as they are elsewhere about the need to protect their skin from the sun. Do you think this might be because they get so little sun to begin with? Most families go to the beach once a year with the idea to lie in the sun and get a tan. Or else, kids go to the local swimming pool all summer long and get a tan that way.

Smoking is a big problem. Cigarette packs do have warnings printed on them but most people just make fun of them. Occasionally you will see a non-smoking area in a restaurant but this is still pretty rare. Everyone must deal with second-hand smoke in all restaurants and bars. Since 1974 cigarette advertising has been banned from German TV but even today most Germans don't want laws that will ban smoking from public places. How does this compare to where you live?