Why It Was Easier to Be Skinny in the 1980s

The article does not answer the "why" at all. Just some theories that might or (maybe more likely) might not be the explanation

tldr even lab animals are getting heavier.

my favorite explanation is greater control over our temperature uses less metabolism.

When I was growing up, I was always very skinny. Now I take Remeron (Mirtazapine) and have gained about 20% (19 kg / 40 lbs) over baseline (90 kg / 200 lbs), although I also stopped working out as much due to lifestyle changes. Now take Metformin for both weight loss and possible life-extension. I also cut out carbonated diet beverages after their links to increased hunger.

I'm on a mission now to increase activity to help with ghrelin and leptin levels.

What does skinny mean? Are you American? If so I have a feeling our definition is going to differ. For me skinny means 100 lbs.

100 lbs is useless without height. So you wouldn't consider a 6' 3" person weighing 130 lbs skinny? I think the usual definition would be underweight (or near the low side of underweight) in a BMI sense.

5' 7"