Why were we so skinny in the 1960s? A nutritionist reveals the secrets of the past to help you lose weight

In 2024, 43% of Americans were obese, compared to just 13% in the 1960s. Experts say that eating more ultra-processed foods and meals, which are full of calories, can cause obesity. Obesity can lead to a range of health problems, including heart disease, diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, liver disease, sleep apnea, and certain cancers. Now, a nutritionist from California called Autumn Bates has said what she thinks is the reason why so many people are obese. The primary reason for the rise in obesity is that people are consuming fewer home-cooked, fresh meals. They usually had 'some sort of really high-quality protein, some fruit, some bread, some vegetables and then probably milk.' She explains that this same nutritious formula was used in children's packed lunches at school, so they were getting a more balanced diet compared to what they have today. Ms. Bates says there are many benefits to eating meals that you cook at home. These include eating less sugar, consuming more protein, and increasing your intake of vegetables. Ms. Bates says that another reason people are fatter today is the vast amount of ultra-processed foods available. The term 'ultra-processed foods,' or UPFs, refers to food that has a long list of ingredients or is made with artificial additives like colorings, sweeteners, and preservatives that make it last longer on the shelf. Ms. Bates says that it is estimated that 70 percent of what Americans eat consists of ultra-processed food. Some studies have found that these foods can cause us to consume approximately 800 calories more per day because they are less satisfying. The third thing that made society less active in the 1960s, Ms Bates says, is that people did a lot more activities by accident. Many people had very demanding jobs. Ms. Bates says that as technology has improved, people have started spending more time at home and looking at screens. This means they are doing less exercise. If you work on a computer all day, Ms Bates suggests getting a walking desk. This allows you to walk on a treadmill while typing and stay fit. Ms Bates also says that not getting enough sleep is a problem. On average, Americans get around 7 hours and 10 minutes of sleep per night. However, successful people like Twitter co-founder Jack Dorsey and President Donald Trump claim that 4 hours is the optimal amount. This differs from the 1960s when studies indicate the average was closer to 8.5 hours. If you don't get enough sleep, you'll feel hungry the next day because your body produces more of the hormones that make you feel hungry. It also makes us prefer sweet foods and larger portion sizes.