Around 1980, obesity rates began rising sharply after decades of stability. Research by Cutler documents multiple converging changes: high-fructose corn syrup, low-fat dietary guidelines (increasing carbs), processed food explosion, portion inflation, increased eating frequency. Human genetics didn’t change — the environment did. No single factor caused the epidemic; the combination created an obesogenic environment our bodies weren’t designed for.
This companion covers the timeline and what changed. (3 min read)