why were people so skinny in the 70s?

I don't know how much skinnier people were on average in the 70s, and I haven't bothered to look. But I think in general our lives are just running on a different framework to how they did then - obviously, with changes in technology, Our work lifestyles and expectations of how you will work have changed too, in Australia at least. People in Australia on average currently work longer hours than ever before, and do more overtime/work weekends and take less holidays. I know for me at least, living that lifestyle was a contributor to my gaining weight, as I was just too tired and drained to prioritise my health.

McDonalds has been in Australia 30 years approx. Yet obesity in Australia has doubled in the last 20. Microsoft has filtered into homes in the last 20. Emails are full of calories

I know mine are. Have you seen some of the calorie laden emails I get from Chocolate covered Katie? Proof right there :flowerforyou:

Processed food was HUGE in the 70s. Dude, microwaves had *just* become affordable I think you'll find that the main reasons were incidental activity related. Despite the 70s not being terribly long ago (ahem, yeah, don't correct me), the first basic cable channel arrived in 76, no home computing, people regularly walked (or biked, for kids) to school or work where they could, most people washed dishes by hand, hung out laundry, etc. There were fewer fears (mostly due to lack of information) of banishing your kids to the outdoors unsupervised every evening. Food wise, average folks usually ate out at restaurants only on rare special occasions and the majority of young adults and older teens in the 70s were raised by parents and grands who lived through war rationing and/or The Great Depression which gave them an entirely different approach to eating.

Side note: there are a lot of studies that show WW2 rationing in the UK (more strict than other countries) was one of the healthiest diets ever in UK history...erm...assuming they didn't run out of your rationed goods.

they ate real food instead of packaged crap without perservatives, high sodium, high fat etc. as well as being more active with less technology available. instead of sitting at a computer all day or a tv (from my understanding a tv was more of a luxery at that time), and since the economy was better people prolly had more money to go out and be social, as well as just going out and enjoying the day. less transportation probably which would result in more walking or biking as well (i would imagine). these are just my guesses.

I always played outside,
my mom made home cooked meals that didn't come out of a box,
sodas were a treat we got a couple times a month (and they were 10oz bottles) and we had to walk half a mile to the convenience store to get one,
and we didn't even own a TV until I was about 11. We rented one every Sunday to watch the Disney movie Sunday evening and that was it.

IMO they ate a little less and moved a little more... sadly I think it really is that simple.

i had gym every day--we changed into uniforms and showered afterwards. We did track n field, gymnastics--you name it, were learned it in gym--even square dancing! My mom drove me NOWHERE. Bike it or walk. A snack was a homemade cookie--dinners were at the table with meat and potatoes. How many meals did I eat at a restaurant as a teen with friends-zero. As a kid with my parents? Very few times-more on vacations or birthdays. My lunches from home to school had the sandwich, the apple thrown on top, I bought milk and maybe a bag with 2/3 cookies--again, my mom probably made the cookies.... We watched very little tv and when we did, it was my dad's tv. I WAS THE CLICKER! We had 4 channels-cbs, nbc, abc and pbs. If he wanted to watch something else, I got up and turned the dial! Ha. My brothers mowed the lawn with a gas mower, but had to walk. We literally were outside every day.... sledding or riding bikes.

I totally agree with every word of this! We were outside during the day, riding bikes, playing hopscotch, swimming. Meals were served three times a day. In between, there was a bowl of fruit on the counter. Clean and simple living.....minus technology! I ad a library card to keep me busy in my spare time! Good memories.

There's many Countries where the average person is still thin.....weird I know, but true.

1. No Internet.
2. No video games.
3. Home cooked meals (from scratch)
4. Kids played outside after school.
5. Parents didn't drive kids everywhere, we rode our bikes or walked.

sums it up!

I agree with a lot of these posts. As a child, we were always outside. Even inside we were playing not sitting in front of something. I think though what is missing in the responses is pride. People took pride in their appearance. If we went out, we were dressed nicely. If my parents were going to a party even at someone's house, they were dressed up. People took pride in their appearance. People don't seem to care anymore.