cient Greece
and Rome there is also evidence of many fat people; however, health hazards
of obesity were known. Ancient Greek philosopher, Hippocrates, stated,
"sudden death is more common in those who are naturally fat than in the
lean." [2]Despite his philosophies, there was a lack of social knowledge
and medical practice did not seem too interested in the issue. Five
hundred years after Hippocrates stated this, around 150 AD, Roman physician
Galen made a distinction between 'moderate' and 'immoderate' obesity. This
suggests that there were people that would probably fit into the modern
category of 'morbid obesity' today. Hundreds of years later, Tibetan
doctor, Sangye Gyamtso, recognized that obesity could be treated through
weight loss. Throughout the years, there were many discoveries that
resembled more or less the same thing; eating too much reduces life span
and can cause many diseases. Not much attention was given to these
discoveries because obesity was not a common problem at this time. [3]
It was not until the 20th century in America, when appearance became
a ubiquitous part of life, that people paid close attention to their
weight. The 20th century was a time of redefining culture and society
through food and dieting. According to Fasting Girls in the 20th century,
"Appetite became less of a biological drive and more of a social and
emotional instrument."[4] The drive behind this shift involved many
factors such as the introduction of ready-to-wear clothes, media portrayal
of the 'ideal body', skin revealing and tighter clothes, the invention of
the scale, and social pressure to maintain an active lifestyle. In 1917
when America entered World War I, it was actually considered unpatriotic to
be fat.[5] Since the country was at war, it was a time for conservation and
shortages. When someone was fat, it looked as if they were not a part of
the war efforts and trai...