graphs on habits that have led to weight gain

[oolala53]

Don't know if this might be a repeat, but just more interesting reinforcement.

http://authoritynutrition.com/12-graphs ... e-get-fat/

I want to point out that sugar consumption didn't have to be at zero to have the population to be slim. Average weight stayed relatively low until the consumption started going up over roughly 50 kg. a year. I'm not suggesting anyone aim at eating that much! There are reasons other than overweight to keep refined sugar consumption much lower than that. It's a culprit, but trying to completely eliminate the culprit is not necessary nor statistically sustainable, even if it would be ideal.

Regarding chart 10 that includes upped intake on weekends, it's associated with social eating. Be reminded that eventually, S days are meant to look much like N days. Besides, in what society is is typical for individuals to eat alone? I don't think we should aim to shun society but to induce society to get less fixated on eating a lot and reinforce each other to enjoy moderation most of the time, as we do here.

I was quite surprised by how low the butter consumption was even at its height in the first half of the 20th century. It averaged less than a tablespoon a day! Even adding all the fats together, they still accounted for only a few hundred calories a day of added fat. Whole milk use and use of fattier parts of meat than the average dieter will allow herself upped the intake, but overall calorie intake still kept people leaner, I assume. And look at the 50s! Added fat played a very small role in the diet.

So, here's to using No S to enjoy the holiday eating- in moderation.
If you have the time, have fun making your own observations.

[oolala53]

Just wanted to point out that there was no mention of starch/carb issues. I try to imagine the average housewife in the '20's being told to make sure the meals included only 20 or even 50 carbs a day, as is so often insisted on these days in certain circles. Not to say that such limitations might not result in greater fat loss, but I don't think it's been shown to lead to sustained loss. And even if there were, there are so many failures along the way, I contend that it's better left to later efforts when it's better known whether such measures are warranted.

[Desert Rat]

Very interesting stuff. Oolala, I wonder if lower butter consumption earlier in the 20th century was related to its cost. The graph showing the correlation of lower food prices with obesity doesn't break it down by type of food, but I suspect butter and sugar were relatively more expensive compared to other types of food. Plus, two world wars and the Great Depression probably limited their consumption for the first 50 years of the last century. My mother has told me of having oatmeal for dinner during the Depression. No milk, no sugar - just oatmeal. I've noticed that the people in old family photos from the 1930s and 1940s were not only thin, they looked like they could use a few pounds!

[oolala53]

Cost is probably part of it. I was just surprised because it seems like it was such a common idea to worry about its use, as if people were eating gobs of it before. Even when margarine was introduced because it was thought to be an improvement, fat intake still didn't amount to much compared to now. The average daily intake was less than a single restaurant meal would deliver now!

And isn't it interesting to see how low the total fell and how all the fat types converged in the 60's. Perhaps around the time of Tab and Metrecal?


Anyway, basic moral of the story: moderate meals of plain old food, including only a modicum of processed food- I call all oils a processed food-is a great place to start, and likely to be a great place to end for most.

[Mustloseweight]

Found these graphs fascinating. Thanks for posting. I am already contemplating getting a good old fashioned recipe book like the Mrs Beetons my mum used to make stuff from scratch. Also the switch to butter has been a contemplation for a while.

[oolala53]

Butter can definitely be part of moderate eating. Though the quality of the fat is important, for weight control, it still looks like total intake is what really affects things.

Keep us informed of your experiments!