The Cheltenham Science Festival heard to-day that the launch of microwaves around 1984 may have kick-started the obesity epidemic.  The comment was made by Professor Jane Wardle, professor of clinical psychology at University College London, in a debate to determine when the nation’s waistline began to expand and what the trigger was.  During the debate a number of other triggers were cited by obesity specialists including the introduction of supermarkets and the the end of the Second World War.

 

“ I’m not trying to demonise the microwave but it was emblematic of a change that took place in the 1980s in terms of the availability of food – a real change in the disincentives for eaating “ said Professor Wardle. Commenting on the statement David Haslam stated that all the theories could have contributed and there was no one cause.

 

“ Microwaves are a double-edged sword because they are also a very healthy way of cooking food and supermarkets sell healthy food if people choose to buy it “, he said.  He added that the end of rationing after World War 2 was an important factor.  “ We’re the only generation where there’s never been a shortage of food, so that’s a major thing “ he added.