Fat History: Bodies and Beauty in the Modern West
Peter N. Stearns
The modern struggle against fat cuts deeply and pervasively into American culture. Dieting, weight consciousness, and widespread hostility toward obesity form one of the fundamental themes of modern life. Fat History explores the meaning of fat in contemporary Western society and illustrates how progressive changes, such as growth in consumer culture, increasing equality for women, and the refocusing of women's sexual and maternal roles have influenced today's obsession with fat. Brought up-to-date with a new preface and filled with narrative anecdotes, Fat History explores fat's transformation from a symbol of health and well-being to a sign of moral, psychological, and physical disorder.
Buy this book at Amazon- Publisher
- NYU Press
- Year
- 2002
- ISBN-13
- 9780814739822
- Genre
- History
- Topics
- Body image and obesityConsumer cultureGender and beauty standards
Awards
- Los Angeles Times Book Prize for HistoryShortlisted(1997)
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