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Americanisation, processed food and obesity since the 1940s

In the present day, using body-mass index (BMI) measurements, the medical profession distinguishes between classifying human bodies which are described as ‘fat’ in everyday speech as technically – in ascending order – as ‘overweight’ > ‘obese’ > ‘morbidly obese’.

In 1962, only 13% of Americans were obese, by 2016 that figure had increased to over 39% [Wiki].

Around 1960, less than 2% of British were obese, by 2016 that figure had risen to 27%, the highest in Europe [treated.com; Wiki]. Japanese and Koreans around 5% around 2015 (rest of Europe anything between 20%-25%) [HofC Briefing Paper 3336 (2018)].

Derek J. Oddy, the social historian and author of 2016 The Rise of Obesity in Europe: a Twentieth Century Food History. INT chapter on Britain since 1945.
D. J. Oddy & Peter J. Atkins concluding chapter 2009. “the UK was becoming the most overweight nation in Europe. It was a significant outcome given the UK’s exposure to the influence of Americanization and the extensive availability of industrialized food products supplied by major food manufacturing companies. This was the ultimate result, reflecting the industrialization of the diet which was becoming widespread across Europe by the end of the twentieth century.”

Weight gain increases during the lifespan, especially between 25 and 40.

Processed foods characterised by the unholy trinity of additives : salt & sugar & fat.

food rationing 1940-54.

1954 first Wimpy fast food in Britain, Coventry St, London. In a 1955 newspaper column, Art Buchwald, syndicated writer for the Washington Post, wrote about the recent opening of a “Wimpy’s Hamburger Parlor” on Coventry Street and about the influence of American culture on the British.[11]

Buchwald wrote, “Food served at the table within ten minutes of ordering and with atomic age efficiency. No cutlery needed or given. Drinks served in a bottle with a straw. Condiments in pre-packaged single serving packets.” In addition to familiar Wimpy burgers and milkshakes, the British franchise initially had served ham or sardine rolls called torpedoes and a cold frankfurter with pickled cucumber sandwiches called Freddies.[11]

1st British McDonalds in 1974.

1976 1st British Burger King, expanded greatly only after it acquired and converted Wimpy and then Little Chef.

In May 1961, French businessman Jacques Borel opened his first Wimpy restaurant in Paris after obtaining an exclusive franchise to operate Wimpy restaurants in France.[29][30] His restaurant was the first hamburger restaurant in France and had predated the opening of the first McDonald’s restaurant by a decade.

 

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