well, a lot of the real bavarians do drink a lot of beer and eat a lot of pork and can have a little gut, but most Germans (and northern Europeans in general) are so much LESS FAT than americans it's amazing. out of about 200 employees at my company we have maybe 2 people that are truly fat - in the US it was like every 3rd employee (i work in software so lots of non-sporty types)

the difference between the US and Germany:
*about 10-15% of the Americans are super fit - they train daily, eat healthy, don't smoke, drink seldom and generally put health as a very high priority (i fit into this group)
* about 15-20% ofd the people are "normal" meaning they do some sports, eat kind of healthy and drink moderately and occaisionally a lot and are in decent shape (i.e. not overweight but do not train for races)
* the other 70% do nothing - they drive everywhere, get no exercise other than going from the couch to the fridge and eat McDonalds and drink beer and maybe smoke (smoking is much lower in the US than Europe - one of the major negatives of Europe!)

Germany:
*fewer, say 3-10% are SUPER health and fitness freaks
* the majority of the people (over 70%) are "normal" meaning they are a healthy weight and can climb a flight of stairs without collapsing but they aren't "health-conscious" or on a competitive training program ---- and they go to the beer garden and drink a lot of beer but then they go for a walk or something other than JUST sitting around
* less than 20% are truly lethargic and inactive and overweight - people walk and go to the park and play soccer or do SOMETHING other than sit on their asses

anyway, that's my observation here. since i do have a weekly training plan and watch what i eat, people assume i am a pro athlete as amateur competitve sports aren't quite as popular as in the US (like 10ks, triathlons, etc)

oh, and after the weekly club MTB ride i lead we go to the beer garden and about half drink apple juice and the other half beer.