Why Were We So Skinny in the 1960s? A Nutritionist Unveils Past Slim Secrets

• EXPLORE FURTHER: Why Butter, Cheese, and Ice Cream Might Help You Live Longer

It’s well known that things have become larger these days.

Be it houses, TVs, or cars — when you compare them to those from previous decades, they've all become much larger.

This also encompasses portion sizes and waist measurements.

In 2024, 43 percent of Americans were classified as obese, whereas only 13 percent fell into this category back in the 1960s.

Specialists have attributed the rise in consumption of highly processed foods and calorie-dense meals to a surge in obesity, which they warn can result in various health issues such as cardiovascular diseases. diabetes , hypertension, hyperlipidemia, hepatic disorders, sleep apnea, and specific types of cancer.

And now, California-based nutritionist Autumn Bates has exposed her views on what she thinks is fueling the obesity crisis, outlining four factors contributing to this issue for individuals. skinnier than in years past , even with reduced exercise routines or without using fitness trackers such as Apple Watches and FitBits.

She mentions that she chose to explore this topic after viewing a YouTube short not long ago that posed the question: Why were we so slim in the 1960s?

The nutritionist said: '[This is a] fair question because in the 60s we had an obesity rate in America of about 13 percent.

To put that into perspective, as of 2025, our current obesity rate is approaching 43 percent, which is quite surprising since back in the 1960s, people weren’t particularly renowned for making healthy dietary decisions.

'Why on earth did our body fat percentages in the lower region drop so low back in the 1960s?'

The first driving factor behind the rise in obesity is the decline in home-cooked, fresh meals. These used to be the rule; not the exception.

They traditionally featured 'some type of really high quality protein, some fruit, some bread, some veggies and then probably milk.'

She explains this same nutritious formula applied to children's packed lunches for school, so kids were getting more of a balanced diet compared to today.

Based on her study of diets from the 1960s, Ms. Bates mentions that some commonly enjoyed foods were roast chicken, meatloaf, beef stew, steak, and potatoes.

The report barely touched upon fast food, despite the significant increase in portion sizes; some well-known combinations now contain almost 2,000 calories per serving, particularly certain burgers paired with French fries.

Based on her conversations with his relatives, she mentioned YouTube video My father mentioned that they usually had something similar to pot roast, whereas my mother has a rather unpleasant memory specifically associated with either lima or butter beans.

Ms Bates mentions that the advantages of homemade meals consist of reduced sugar consumption, additional protein, and a higher quantity of veggies.

A prior study conducted by Johns Hopkins University revealed that individuals who regularly prepare their meals at home typically ingest lower amounts of carbohydrates, sugars, and fats than those who do not cook as frequently.

Next, Ms Bates says another reason why today's society is fatter than ever is because of the explosion of ultra processed foods.

Ultra processed foods, or UPFs, is an umbrella term used to cover anything with a long ingredients list or made with artificial additives like colorings, sweeteners and preservatives that extend shelf life.

Prepared dishes, ice cream, and ketchup are among the widely favored items categorized as UPFs, terms that have become closely associated with edibles providing minimal nutritional benefits.

They differ from processed foods, which are altered to extend shelf life or improve flavor, like cured meats, cheeses, and freshly baked bread.

Elaborating on why UPFs are detrimental, she remarks: "When foods go through ultra-processing, they reach a stage where they significantly reduce feelings of fullness, making you far less content with what you consume. Consequently, this often leads to eating even greater quantities."

These are dishes that mainly consist of components you can’t identify and often come with an extensive list of ingredients that you wouldn't easily find at your local supermarket to replicate at home.

Ms Bates mentions that it is believed around 70 percent of Americans’ current diet consists of UPFs, and she adds that ‘certain research indicates these highly processed foods might lead people to consume approximately 800 additional calories daily as they tend to be far less filling.’

Ms Bates recommends steering clear of the weight-gaining effects of such foods and replacing them with better options—packaged snacks containing extra elements can instead be exchanged for fresh fruit, veggies, nuts, and seeds.

Ms Bates points out that the third factor contributing to a trimmer society in the 1960s was that people were 'much more inadvertently physically active.'

She continues: 'A large portion of the workforce back then had more physically demanding jobs. They also had a lot less structured activity, meaning that they didn't really work out.

My father often mentions that he felt extremely self-conscious during his youth since his own father was quite health conscious back then, frequently going for jogs. His peers found this amusing and would teasingly inquire about what he might be chasing after, as folks generally led more physically demanding lives.

They spent a whole day being quite active as opposed to spending an entire day seated in front of a computer screen, along with likely doing some commuting.

Ms Bates observes that as technology has advanced, individuals have grown more inclined to stay indoors and fixate on their screens, resulting in decreased levels of physical exercise.

She mentions, "My mother used to say that being confined indoors was considered a form of punishment during her childhood. In the 1960s, kids didn’t have many indoor distractions, so they were encouraged to venture outdoors and engage in physical activities."

Ms Bates recommends that individuals with sedentary office jobs consider using a walking desk, which allows them to stroll on a treadmill while typing and stay fit.

On top of this, she recommends three to four days of structured exercise per week, such as strength training.

Lastly, Ms Bates points to a lack of sleep as another problem driving America's obesity epidemic.

Today the average American adult gets around 7 hours and 10 minutes of sleep per night and successful modern day individuals like Twitter co-founder Jack Dorsey and President Donald Trump have claimed that 4 hours is the optimal amount of sleep.

This contrasts with the decade of the 1960s, where research indicates people typically slept around 8.5 hours on average.

Ms. Bates comments on this change in sleep habits saying, "Reduced sleep has a strong connection with obesity and weight increase."

'Lack of sleep leads to higher levels of hunger hormones, making you much hungrier the following day.'

'It also boosts our liking for sugary dishes and makes us inclined towards bigger serving portions.'

The nutritionist attributes the negative impact on people’s sleep to advancements in technology, citing increased nighttime distractions like laptops, TVs, and smartphones.

She notes: 'Additionally, individuals were more physically active during the day, making them feel more exhausted and indeed ready for bed.'

We should establish bedtime routines once more since there are numerous distractions tempting us to stay awake late, such as marathon streaming of Netflix shows or endlessly browsing our phones.

We really should establish specific bedtime hours.

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