Shocking This is Why We Weigh More than People 50 Years Ago ...

Alicia

Shocking This is Why We Weigh More than People 50 Years Ago ...
Shocking This is Why We Weigh More than People 50 Years Ago ...

It’s no secret that obesity rates have climbed in the last 50 years. It can be confusing why that’s so. But if you take a deeper look, there are clues as to why people weigh more now than 50 years ago. Here are 7 of them.

Thanks for sharing your thoughts!

Please subscribe for your personalized newsletter:

1. We Move Less

We move less now than we did 50 years ago. There are many more sedentary jobs now than there were in the mid-1960s. One reason for that is the boom of technology that means many of us work at desks for the majority of our workday. Technology has improved our world in ways too numerous to count, but this isn’t one of them. Additionally, we also have less recreational time that’s centered around physical activity.

2. Play Time Has Become Tech Time

Very rarely do children go outside and play. That’s not true for every child, but it is for many. Playing now equals getting on an iPad or another technological device. And it isn’t true for just children. We often turn to technology for down time instead of choosing something that gives us exercise.

Frequently asked questions

3. We Cook Less and Eat out More

People eat out much more now than they did 50 years ago. There are more restaurants now and it’s just a more common part of our culture. There are healthy options you can choose, but they’re deeply outnumbered by unhealthy ones that tempt us. Cooking at home takes time many of us don’t have. We’re all working more and have less time to make the homemade dinners our moms made.

4. High Cal Snacks Are More Readily Available

High cal snacks are widely available. There are vending machines everywhere you turn and grocery store shelves are stacked high with any snack imaginable. Going to the grocery store is difficult if you love tasty snacks, which many of us do. We don’t just get the basics such as bread, milk and bananas; we find ourselves loading up on chips, cookies and ice cream, too. Snacks like that weren’t a daily indulgence 50 years ago like they are now.

5. Soda Consumption Has Skyrocketed

There was soda in the mid '60s, but it was more of a treat than a daily (or hourly) indulgence. I think we sometimes forget how high calorie soda is. One can of soda comes in around 150 calories. If you have two cans a day, you’re getting 2,100 calories per week just from soda. That’s pretty astounding when you think about it. Cutting down on soda can equal weight loss for you.

Related Videos about

6. We Drive Everywhere

The world is different in so many ways now than 50 years ago and this is yet another one. Most of us drive everywhere. In the '60s, people were more likely to walk to the grocer's and the drugstore if it was a reasonable distance. With less to pull their attention away from each other, families were also more likely to go out walking as a way to spend time together, too. We can change our lifestyles to include more walking now if we truly make an effort.

7. Drive-Thrus Are Everywhere

Drive-thrus are everywhere today. That certainly wasn’t the case 50 years ago! McDonald's didn’t even have its first drive-thru until 1975 and it took several years for the craze to catch on. It’s so easy to swing through and pick up a calorie loaded iced coffee or burger now. Yes, it’s convenient but it’s also a contributor to the high obesity level

These are 7 reasons why obesity is more of an issue now than 50 years ago. Does this article inspire you to make healthy changes in your lifestyle? I’d love to hear from you!

Feedback Junction

Where Thoughts and Opinions Converge

how do you add a post to one of the categories??

Trust me..in have seen all my school friends n they all still look the. Same

I agree with Wendy 100%!

There's so many more household gadgets and timesavers making housework easier and faster meaning we don't have to work so hard doing housework

People just need to bitch less and get up off their asses. You can still be very slim even now a days, you just have to put effort into and nit blame everything around you.

It's just business to create a demand n hyping it

If u. R naturally thin don even bother exercising!!!!!thats how. U put. On weight in the first place.....

True they used to work much harder n didn't have the comfort we have these days especially in my part of the world

Yeah and the farmers add growth hormone to the livestock, and guess who eats it.......and don't stop growing horizontal

All coz of this stupid exercise..tell me I am wrong!!! One person?? Don't think so.its the fact u see.....

Related Topics

Foods That Might Be Hindering Your Weight Loss Efforts ... eating small meals throughout the day The Truth on Sports Drinks and Why You Should Ditch Them Today This is How Soda Makes You Gain Weight for Girl Who Just Cant Quit ... How to Tell if Your Diet is Too Harsh for Your Body ... 7 Ways to Combat Your Workout Ruining Your Diet ... 7 Hidden Reasons Keeping You from Losing Weight for Girls Who Cant Figure It out ... 7 Difficult Diet Decisions for Those Who Want to Lose Weight ... hand diet what food cravings mean emotionally