[philosofy123]

Historically, the whole world eats starch in bread, potatos, rice, and pasta. The new thing that happens was the refined suger became very cheap in the US, in coparison to the income. Therefore, people start eating lots of sweets. That is the major difference in the diets. In addition, the TV programming became too attractive for the population to sit and watch, which leads to first no excersizes, and second to consumption of snacks!

[Alberta's Child]

Not only that, but I once read that a person burns fewer calories while watching television than while he is sleeping. Go figure.