Indeed, the Report of the Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee issued by the U.S. Department of Agriculture in 1990 allowed that some weight gain after the age of thirty-five was consistent with good health. That same year, Dr. Willett challenged the conventional thinking, reporting that weight gain after age eighteen was the major determinant of type 2 diabetes.1 A weight gain of 20–35 kg (44–77 pounds) increased the risk of type 2 diabetes by 11,300 percent. Gaining more than 35 kg (77 pounds) increased the risk by 17,300 percent!
