Why Were We So Thin In The 70s (The Truth Will Surprise You)

There was a time—not very long ago—when seeing widespread obesity was uncommon.

If you look at family albums, school photos, or beach snapshots from the 1970s, you’ll notice that most people appeared more active and physically balanced.

This was not due to their exceptional self-control or adherence to certain diets. The way everyday life operated was the true difference.

The surroundings themselves promoted natural balance, regular eating habits, and mobility.Everyday existence was infused with movement.

Many homes in the 1970s had one car or none at all. Walking was typically required to get to job, school, stores, or a friend’s residence.

People walked because they had to, not because they wanted to exercise.

Without realizing it, a normal day might entail traveling several kilometers from house to the bus, from the bus to work, from work to stores, and back home.

Kids ran to parks, played outside, walked to school, and walked back home. There was steady, organic movement.

2. The food was straightforward and barely processed.
   Ultra-processed goods weren’t kept in refrigerators. Basic foods like vegetables, eggs, meat, milk, and fruit formed the foundation of meals.

Cleaning, chopping, stirring, and cooking all took time and took place at home. It took physical effort even to prepare meals.

Generally speaking:

Sugar was used sparingly.
Less refined fats were used.
The portions were small.
Instead than eating out of stress or boredom, people ate when they were hungry.

3. Eating had a set timetable.
   Breakfast, lunch, and dinner were the three meals that most people ate each day.

It was uncommon to snack in between meals. There were no checkout-line candies, vending machines, or frequent treats in daily life. The body became accustomed to anticipating meals at specific times and taking breaks in between.

By default, portions were smaller.
Soft drinks were packaged in tiny bottles.

A plate can hold meals comfortably.
There were neither continuous improvements nor “supersized” alternatives.
The purpose of food was to nourish, not to overwhelm.

The day wasn’t controlled by screens.
There were set timetables and programming on television. The TV was switched off when a show concluded.

After a little observation, the kids headed outside. Without screens, they ate their meals at the table. Many people now spend more than ten hours a day staring at screens; in the past, this amount was far lower.

Food was not used to manage stress.

News, alerts, and notifications weren’t always available to people. There was stress, but it wasn’t constant.

When someone was feeling overwhelmed, they would frequently go on walks, engage in conversation with people, or occupy themselves with practical activities. In general, the quality of sleep improved, which naturally aids in controlling energy and hunger.

Physical activity was required at work.
Movement was necessary for even office tasks, such as carrying papers, ascending stairs, and moving between rooms.

Additionally, manual labor was more prevalent, thus movement was a regular part of the workday.Boredom prompted action
There were no pocket-mounted personal screens. People went outside, went to see someone, or found something to do when they were bored.

Instead of encouraging stillness, boredom promoted movement.

The aspect that many people choose not to acknowledge

The 1970s did not see an increase in discipline.
The environment in which they lived naturally promoted equilibrium.

The modern world is geared around prolonged periods of sitting, eating, and using screens, and the body reacts accordingly.

What is applicable now
You can adopt certain useful practices from the 1970s, but you don’t have to live exactly like that:

Take additional walks whenever you can.
Cook at home with basic ingredients
Limit your frequent munching.
Make use of smaller plates.

Steer clear of screens when eating.
Enhance your sleeping habits
Get up and move frequently.

Increase your time spent outside.

Extreme diets are not necessary for the body. It reacts most favorably to an environment that facilitates its intended operation.

The physical balance observed decades ago was a reflection of a more active, less manufactured, and more connected lifestyle that was more closely linked to daily movement rather than heredity or perfection.

Even now, reintroducing some aspects of that way of life can have a significant impact.