I don’t know the number but it took a drastic jump in the 20’s. I’d say it had to do with food production, probably sugar.
You’re probably right. I think that’s was also when people started using more white, refined flour rather than whole-wheat and corn flour. Not a coincidence—that stuff turns into sugar, too.
I wonder if the numbers went up in the fifties, too. People in the fifties ate the most horrific stuff. I can’t believe we survived. Gaaah. Coca-Cola jello molds, huge cakes, it makes me nauseated just to think of it.