interesting statistic, from zoomata.com:

The fact is that Italians are drinking less wine than ever -- 50 liters per person yearly in 2002, in contrast to the 104 per capita drunk in 1975. As lifestyles change, so do drinking habits -- beer consumption has also more than doubled from 13 liters to 30 each per person a year. Numerous initiatives are trying to get Italians back in the habit of drinking the gift of the grape in moderation -- including one aimed at the youth market sponsored by the National Enoteca called 'By Bacchus, Kids!"

i think the sad fact is that while europeans are much healthier and eat better than americans do now, as long as american crap culture keeps on infiltrating their societies, they'll soon be just as lardy as the rest of us. i wonder if europeans are heavier today than they were a few decades ago. or maybe the incessant smoking keeps the kilos off.

also: "by bacchus, kids!"?