Norfolk, that's a drastic oversimplification of the problem. Research has uncovered many clues, some of which are:
There are genes that contribute to the abnormal conversion of food to fat, rather than to energy for immediate use, as well as genes that drive people to continue to eat when normal people are full. Genes that code for
leptin levels are but one example.
It's recently been discovered that the flavor enhancer
MSG might be part of the modern obesity crisis, as its consumption shows a remarkable positive correlation with obesity. It's in practically every processed food product there is now. It wasn't as prevalent in Western diets in the 50's and 60's.
Conjugated linoleic acid has almost disappeared from modern meat and cheese because of the expedited production methods now employed. Its absence is thought to be yet another reason for rising obesity rates.
High fructose corn syrup is another part of the puzzle. Through various mechanisms, it predisposes genetically vulnerable people to obesity. It has, to a large degree, replaced sweeteners of the past.
Even the
absence of internal parasites from our bodies by way of modern approaches to hygiene may be part of the autoimmune disease explosion, and autoimmune disease and its preconditions affect hormone levels and exercise tolerance, so weight gain is one of the consequences. If you want some gross-out reading, look up Helminthic Therapy in Wikipedia:
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