Your last line really resonates with me. I was born and raised in a country with a very high obesity rate these days. I am currently living in Amsterdam.

The Dutch attitude towards walking, cycling, food and sports makes it extremely easy to manage one's weight, if you buy into it. When I visit my home country, no one in my family / friends circle enjoys walking. Most don't enjoy exercise, but they are truly fond of barbecues, beer, soft drinks and other such hyper palatable foods.

Had I remained in my home country, I would just be one more data point toward the obesity statistic, just by virtue of putting some effort to fit in.