It's no secret that everything is bigger today.
Whether it's houses, televisions, or cars – compared to previous decades, everything has become "supersized."
And this also applies to food portions and waist sizes.
By 2024, 43 percent of Americans will be considered obese, compared to just 13 percent in the 1960s.
Experts blame the increase in consumption of highly processed foods and higher-calorie meals, and warn that obesity can lead to a range of health problems, including heart disease, diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, liver disease, sleep apnea and some types of cancer.
Now, California nutritionist Autumn Bates has revealed what she believes is driving the obesity epidemic, laying out four reasons why people were thinner in decades past – even though they exercised less or didn't have access to devices like the Apple Watch or FitBit.
She says she began researching this phenomenon after seeing a short video on YouTube that asked the question: "Why were we so skinny in the 1960s?"
The nutritionist said: “It's a fair question, because in the 60s, the obesity rate in the US was about 13 percent.
To put it in context, currently in 2025, the obesity rate is approaching 43 percent, and that's strange because people weren't known to eat very healthily in the '60s.
"So why did we have such a lower body fat percentage in those years?"
1. More home-cooked meals
In those years, fresh, home-cooked meals were the rule, not the exception.
They usually included "high-quality protein, fruit, bread, vegetables and maybe milk."
This nutrition formula also applies to children's school lunches, giving them a more balanced diet compared to today.
From her research on foods from the 60s, Ms. Bates says some of the popular foods were roast chicken, meatballs, beef stew, steak and potatoes.
Fast food was rarely mentioned and portions were much smaller – whereas today a hamburger and fries can have up to 2,000 calories.
The benefits of home-prepared meals include less sugar, more protein, and higher vegetable intake.
A study from Johns Hopkins University found that those who cook frequently at home consume less carbohydrates, sugar, and fat.
2. The explosion of ultra-processed foods (UPFs)
UPFs are products with long lists of ingredients and artificial additives – such as colorings, sweeteners, and preservatives.
They are different from normal processed foods like cheese or fresh bread.
Bates says: “Ultra-processed foods take away the feeling of fullness and force you to eat more.”
Approximately 70 percent of an American's diet consists of these foods, and some studies show that they can add about 800 calories per day.
She advises avoiding these foods and replacing them with healthier alternatives such as fruits, vegetables, nuts, and seeds.
3. Uninformed daily physical activity
“People in those years were much more active without realizing it,” says Bates.
Many jobs required physical movement.
Children played outside, and staying inside was a punishment, not fun.
She adds: "Now people sit in front of a computer all day and then do an hour of exercise. That doesn't make up for the inactivity of the day."
For those who work in offices, Bates suggests walking desks or three to four days of structured exercise per week, such as strength training.
4. More sleep
In the 1960s, people slept an average of 8.5 hours a night.
Today, this has been reduced to about 7 hours or less.
Lack of sleep increases hunger hormones and the desire for sweet foods or larger quantities.
Technology, like phones, televisions, and laptops, keeps people awake longer.
Bates says: “We need sleep schedules again, because temptations are plentiful – like watching Netflix or being on the phone.
We need to set limits for ourselves at night." /GazetaExpress/
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