There is a reason for fat American food;it's a country that fled from all it's cultures,and traditions,and left them all in Europe eventually.Our cooking quite frankly,went to Hell,i think India is having the same thing happen to THEIR FOOD.But yes,Americans got too isolated from their "roots"and so did their food.Its a sign of "industrialization".
My old relatives,Pennsylvania Dutch,use to be fabulous cooks,and bakers,and they made great food.Also,during the early years,a lot of the farmers had such hard work,they burned a lot of calories.They even had donut snacks,while they were working,to keep their strength up.Those people often worked into the night.So,during that time,high calories,very nutritious food was NEW to many Americans,cause many of them had been poor,and America had a huge bounty of food.Lots of good food,at weddings,parties,ect.,was A "mark of the successful American working,or middleclass."Only the wealthy felt secure enough,to just have a light,white cake,at a wedding,not food.
Yes,we Americans were exposed to BOUNTY,AND PLENTY.And we reacted by eating it all.FOOD was our mark of success.When the older generations died out,the good cooking went too,and in the 50's,and later,traditional cooking died out.People,women FORGOT HOW TO COOK AND BAKE!!(Yow.)Some of us who were more old fashioned,and had good family influence of cooking teaching,still do it,but we're the "baby boomers"who have gotten old.Now,younger people do not know how to cook,or eat.Hence,they get "convenience foods"cause both husband and wife were forced to work,leaving no one cooking at home.
"Convenience foods"that take little knowledge of cooking,are cheap enough,and fast,tend to be more fattening."Fast food"is the same thing,people do not have the money,or time,to cook,they eat it.Nor do young people know HOW to cook,much.
Cheap,fast,convenient meals,that take little time,turned into fat food.Also,since we are all poor now,we also need cheap food,and fast,fattening food,is cheaper.