Carbohydrates Cause Obesity
Dr. Robert Atkins vilified carbs in his 1972 diet book, focusing on short-term weight loss results. The ketogenic diet revival around 2015 pushed low-carb product sales to $2.7 billion by 2019. A landmark 2018 study in The Lancet confirmed calorie balance, not carb restriction, determines weight changes. American obesity rates climbed from 30% to 42% between 2000-2020 while various diet trends came and went. Marketing of specialized diet products reinforced carb fears.