Why does the U.S. have the biggest percentage of obese people? How did this change from 1980 until current and why?

Obesity between 1960-1980 stayed around 15% for adults between 20 to 74 of age. The scale then steadily climbs from 1980 until current and now almost 40% of American's between 20-74 are Obese. Why?
Obesity is anyone with the BMI >30. I am currently studying Integrative Nutrition and discovering information which clearly defines why we have such a problem with our food system.
Here is a little humor. When I was about 4 years old my parents took me to a nameless fast food restaurant. As I was emptying my tray my finger got caught in the trash can. The trashcan in the late 1970's had little metal teeth on the trap door. I reached up and put my trash in the hole of the trash can and as I pulled the empty tray out my finger got stuck. A ambulance was called to this fast food place and they had to take me to the hospital to have my middle finger stitched up. The whole summer in family pictures by the pool I am holding my big finger up in this silly bandage. I think of this memory often. Most of the time in nightmares.
This memory is a good reminder of why I want to be a Health and Wellness Coach.

So what happened in the US in 1980's to make the percentage of obesity to rise significantly in the last 40 years. In the 1980's men and women were consuming roughly around 3200 calories. In 2010 it was reported men and women in the US were consuming 3900 calories which is 700 more calories a day.
In the late 1970's deregulation of agriculture started happening . The agribusiness wanted farmers to plant lots and lots of corn and soy. In order to profitably mass-produce convenience fare for a growing middle class, the food industry needed unchecked access to cheap inputs.Urged on by Earl Butz and buoyed by high grain prices, millions of Midwestern farmers spent the 1970s taking on debt to buy more land, bigger and more complicated machines, new seed varieties, more fertilizers and pesticides, and generally producing as much as they possibly could. Then in the 1970's the US was sitting on mountains of corn and soy and trying to figure out what to do with the surplus.

Read more here https://grist.org/article/the-butz-stops-here/

One thing is certain. Nutrition is composed of a lot of diametric opinions. There are hundreds of dietary theories and each country has there own take on it.

Food corporations over the years realized to stay in business they needed to spend billions of dollars in advertising.
The biggest change in advertising was when they started targeting children.
When you can buy 5 hamburgers for $5 and a salad for $5 dollars its some hard choices to make when you are on a family budget.The index price for Fresh Fruit and veggies has increased by 40% since 1980. Beer, Butter, Soda, and processed food has gone down by 15-30% since 1980.

I went to Staples which is an office supply store the other day. They are now selling office snacks! Awesome! I worked at a desk job for 17 years and the days were better when someone had snacks to share. I understand. I get it!

So how can we change this epidemic? Here are a few ideas I came across:
-Make sure you are balancing the calories you are consuming.
-Enjoy your food. Try not to rush while you are eating. It takes time for your body to realize its full.
Foods to Increase:
-Make 1/2 your plate Fruit and Veggies.
-Eat more whole grains.

-Drink more water and less sugary drinks
-Always read the food label and compare sodium levels

We are starting to see some positive change. Let me know what you think of this information. To be continued as I learn more. Remember organic doesn't always mean organic. Invest in your family! I do believe in Bio-Individuality which means one persons food can be another persons poison. Read and learn more about what you are eating. Plant a garden with your family. I would love to hear some other ideas from different people! Globally I think we are realizing we are what we eat. Too be continued.....

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