Why Everyone Was So Skinny in the 1960s
It's no secret that everything is bigger today. Whether it's houses, televisions, or cars – compared to decades ago, things have become oversized. That includes food portions and waistlines.
In 2024, 43 percent of Americans are classified as obese, compared to just 13 percent in the 1960s.
Experts blame the increased intake of ultra-processed foods and higher-calorie meals, warning that obesity can lead to a range of health problems, including heart disease, diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, liver disease, sleep apnea, and certain types of cancer – writes Nova.
Now, California-based nutritionist Autumn Bates has shared her opinion on the causes of the obesity epidemic, outlining four reasons why people used to be slimmer, even though they exercised less and had no access to smartwatches or fitness trackers like the Apple Watch and Fitbit.
She said her interest in researching this phenomenon was sparked by a recent YouTube video asking: “Why were we so skinny in the 1960s?”
The nutritionist said: “It’s a fair question, because in the 1960s, the obesity rate in America was around 13 percent. To compare that to today – in 2025, the obesity rate is nearly 43 percent – and that’s pretty incredible, because people in the 60s weren’t exactly known for their healthy eating habits. So why was body fat percentage so much lower back then?”
Although it's easy to view the past through rose-colored glasses, scientists say it's a fact that we used to be thinner.
Home-cooked, freshly prepared meals used to be the norm, not the exception.
They traditionally included: some form of quality protein, fruit, bread, vegetables, and probably milk.
Autumn Bates explains that this same nutritional pattern applied to children's school lunches, so kids also had a more balanced diet back then.
Based on research on what people ate in the 1960s, Bates notes that popular meals included: roast chicken, meatloaf, beef stew, steak, and potatoes.
Fast food was barely mentioned, whereas today's portion sizes are drastically larger – the calorie content of popular burgers and fries can reach up to 2,000 calories per meal.
Benefits of Home Cooking
Bates highlights several benefits of home-cooked meals, including:
- lower sugar intake
- more protein
- higher vegetable intake
A study from Johns Hopkins University showed that people who cook at home frequently consume fewer carbohydrates, sugar, and fat compared to those who cook less often.
Second Reason: Explosion of Ultra-Processed Foods
Next, Ms. Bates mentions that another reason today's society is more obese than ever is the explosion of ultra-processed foods.
Photo: TopFoto.co.uk / Topfoto / Profimedia
Ultra-Processed Food (UPF) refers to products with a long list of ingredients or those containing artificial additives such as coloring, sweeteners, and preservatives that extend shelf life.
Ready-made meals, ice cream, and ketchup are some of the most popular examples of UPF, today almost synonymous with foods of very low nutritional value.
This category differs from “regular” processed food, which is modified to last longer or taste better – such as cured meats, cheese, or fresh bread.
Explaining why UPF is harmful, Bates says: “Ultra-processing is the next level of food modification that really reduces the feeling of fullness – you eat, but don’t feel satisfied, so you need more food. These are mainly products with ingredients you don’t recognize, often containing a long list of items you couldn’t simply buy at a store and cook at home.”
Some studies have shown that this food can cause us to consume up to 800 more calories per day because it doesn’t satisfy hunger.
The nutritionist advises replacing such products with healthier alternatives – instead of packaged snacks with added ingredients, eat fruit, vegetables, nuts, and seeds.
Third Reason: People Were “Accidentally More Active”
Bates notes that people in the 1960s were much more active, but unintentionally so.
“A large portion of the workforce had more physically demanding jobs. They didn’t do structured exercise – they just moved more throughout the day. My dad always said he was embarrassed because his father was a ‘health nut’ who ran, and his friends teased him – because physical activity was already part of everyday work. Days back then involved movement, unlike today’s sedentary lifestyle in front of screens and commuting by car.”
Bates points out that people have become more homebound and screen-bound, and physical activity has decreased.
For those working at a computer, Bates recommends getting up and walking several times a day.
She also recommends 3 to 4 days of physical activity per week, such as strength training.
Fourth Reason: Lack of Sleep
Finally, Bates emphasizes lack of sleep as another major factor contributing to the obesity epidemic.
Today, the average American sleeps about 7 hours and 10 minutes. However, in the 1960s, average sleep duration was about 8.5 hours.
Commenting on this change, Bates says: “Lack of sleep is strongly linked to obesity and weight gain. Sleep deprivation increases hunger hormones, so your appetite is much stronger the next day. It also increases cravings for sweets and larger portions.”
The nutritionist blames technology for disrupting sleep quality, with numerous evening distractions such as laptops, TVs, and phones.
“We need to reintroduce bedtime routines, because there are too many temptations now – to stay up watching Netflix or scrolling on our phones. We must set boundaries for when we go to sleep,” she concludes.
