Less active
Much of the globe has seen a significant decline in populaton-wide physical activity over the last few decades, according to Nike-sponsored research reported in Obesity Reviews.
Countries involved with the study are the U.S., U.K., Brazil, China, and India. How did they measure activity levels?
Using detailed historical data on time allocation, occupational distributions, energy expenditures data by activity, and time-varying measures of metabolic equivalents of task (MET) for activities when available, we measure historical and current MET by four major PA domains (occupation, home production, travel and active leisure) and sedentary time among adults (>18 years).
The authors note the work of Church, et al, who found decreased work-related activity in the U.S. over the last half of the 20th century.
Inexplicably, they don’t mention the work of Westerterp and colleagues who found no decrease in energy expenditure in North American and European populations since the 1980s.
More active
My gut feeling is that advanced populations around the globe probably are burning fewer calories by physical activity over the last 50 years, if not longer, thanks to technologic advances. We in the U.S. are also eating more calories lately. Since the 1970s, average daily consumption by women is up by 150 calories, and up 300 by men. Considering both these trends together, how could we not be fat?
Diabetic Mediterranean Diet 
Excellent data and thoughts. I believe you hit issue on head:
reduced burn/physical activity – couch potato tools and entertainment.
and improved refined foods, improved grains and sugars from pennies on the ton corn starch to high fructose corn sugars all available by the ton 24/7.
If I was carrying an extra hundred pounds, I’d be exercising more than I do now just by being alive. Has this been factored in?
Hep C, not factored into the studies I reference.
There is also in increase in autoimmune diseases, which also helps to slow down ones Physical Activity, especailly when alot of pain is involved. I liked to see someone try to exercise, when all it cause is more pain and fatigue. it just dosn’t happen. Sincerely, Cathi G., Ventua, CA.