Big Food Is Making You Bigger

Before the 1970s people generally weighed less than they do now and obesity was much rarer. We have to ask ourselves why?

Research has come up with a term for the modern environment and causes which contribute to making us fatter and it’s called the “obesogenic environment”.

Basically is Big Food, Big Diet and, to some extent Big Pharma.

The diet industry sprung up in the late 1966 – Weight Watchers was founded in 1966 and Slimming World was founded in 1969. Weight loss companies weren’t needed before because very few people were overweight! Put simply Big Food started feeding us ultra processed low quality foods and Big Diet came to the rescue with weight loss plans. We all know that the success rate of diets is very limited because they are too restrictive and take up too much brain power.

Big pharma had its role to play in Weight Wars because they made appetite suppressants and all sorts of fad drugs and products (do you remember Ayds, the toffees which used to make you fart?). These would stop us eating whilst consuming them, but as soon as we stopped, we went back to what humans do – we eat when we’re hungry! The modern environment and big food companies can contribute to weight gain and obesity in several ways. Here are some key factors:

Availability of highly processed foods

Big food companies often produce and promote highly processed foods that are typically high in added sugars, unhealthy fats, and calories. These foods are designed to be convenient and have a long shelf life, but they often lack essential nutrients and can be addictive. Their widespread availability and aggressive marketing can lead to overconsumption and contribute to weight gain.

Portion sizes

Both the food industry and the food service industry have increased portion sizes over the years. Larger portions encourage people to eat more, even if they don’t need the extra calories. Studies have shown that people tend to eat more when presented with larger portion sizes, leading to overeating and weight gain.

Marketing and advertising

Big food companies invest heavily in marketing and advertising, targeting consumers with persuasive messages and attractive packaging. They often use techniques to make their products seem appealing and create cravings, particularly among children. This constant exposure to advertising can influence food choices and lead to the consumption of unhealthy, calorie-dense foods.

Our instincts are to eat when we’re hungry whatever is the most satisfying and calorific – that is what food marketers are doing.

Take Out, Order In Culture

Even as recently as the late 1980s, if you wanted take out food, you had to walk down to the chippie or the kebab and pick up your food, they didn’t deliver. Now you can Just Order Junk without even getting off the sofa to get your purse out! How on earth is a knackered parent going to say to their kids “Its Chicken Nuggets and chips tonight kids” when they see huge pizzas and mega bottles of diet coke plastered all over their social media and the TV.

High Sugar Content

Many processed foods and beverages, such as soft drinks, candy, and baked goods, contain high amounts of added sugars. These sugars provide empty calories and contribute to weight gain. Excessive sugar consumption can also lead to insulin resistance and metabolic issues that increase the risk of obesity.

Sedentary Lifestyle

The modern environment often promotes a sedentary lifestyle with less physical activity. Technological advancements, such as computers, smartphones, and streaming services, have made entertainment and work more sedentary. Additionally, urbanization and reliance on cars have reduced opportunities for physical activity, such as walking or biking. A lack of exercise, coupled with a calorie-dense diet, can lead to weight gain and obesity.

Back in the day we didn’t need gyms or exercise classes, just feeding the family, keeping the home clean and tidy and earning a living required a lot of effort and energy. Modern technology and ways of working have changed beyond measure, most of us don’t get our heart rate up more than a few times a day, so we need gyms and fitness classes to help us move more and expend more energy.

The Problem with BIG Food

The modern environment and the practices of big food companies can create an obesogenic environment that makes it more challenging for individuals to maintain a healthy weight.