What Caused the American Obesity Epidemic?

As far as I know, the obesity epidemic started in the 1970s (long after television, automobiles, Hershey bars, and fast food came into common use) and is strongest in the United States. By some coincidence, cyclamates were banned in the United States in the 1970s but not in many other industrial countries. Maybe, just maybe, the cyclamate ban played a role.

What does this imply about people who want to fight obesity by banning something? Maybe their bans won't backfire … but I wouldn't count on that.

ObSF: Inferno by Larry Niven and Jerry Pournelle.