Clarifying Butter

Not Yet Free of Fat-Shaming 

Prior to the Progressive Era (1897-1920), thinness was understood to be an issue tied to poor health and poverty, and large bodies symbolized wealth and good health. By the start of the 20^th century, however, thinness was both idealized and tied to a “national” morality that promoted self-control and the regulation of one’s body. 

American culture created widespread societal standards regarding health, beauty, and the size of people’s bodies. Exercising, participating in diet-culture, fitting into clothes off the rack, became expected behavior. To fit into American standards, a person physically had to fit in. A culture that considered larger bodies to be a symbol of wealth and health prior to the Industrial Revolution had quickly evolved to a culture that defined attractiveness and success by the smaller bodies. 

Today, amid the Information Era, where technology and social media’s presence is hard to escape, the promotion of dieting, fat-shaming, and unrealistic body ideals are stronger than ever. 

 In Relation to Race  

Idealized body sizes are culturally constructed and differ considerably according to race. 20^th century beauty standards for African Americans did not include the glorification of thinness like white Western culture. African American culture encouraged and celebrated larger bodies as beautiful, healthier, stronger, and more suitable for marriage.  Against the hegemonic ideal, however, this has meant that many Black women suffer from a double stigma of both race and body image. The enslavement symbol of the “mammy,” a voluptuous Black woman responsible for caretaking white children was popularized; her body signified complacency, loyalty, and comfort within white culture, as illustrated by the problematic figure of Aunt Jemima. Today, however, fewer Black women and girls suffer from eating disorders and negative self-assessed body image issues. 

Bodies of Class  

Post-war America emphasized thinness for American bodies. Research regarding diets, nutritional standards, and “healthy” foods grew. America’s economy prospered after the war, and this included a booming weight-loss industry.   

Capitalists and corporations convinced Americans that in order to fight their fat they needed to follow societal standards and guidelines. The early 1960s saw the promotion of diet-culture, low-fat foods, debates over healthy and unhealthy foods, and other weight-loss related ideals. In order to attain these ideals, a person needed to be willing to pay the cost to attain thinness. Fat bodies, however, also paid a price, as studies have shown that fat people are less likely to be hired, get promotions and raises, support the diet industry, and make thin people feel better about themselves. 

Gendered Guidelines 

From the Industrial Revolution, the beauty and health standards of men versus women became grew to be more distinct. While both men and women were expected to choose healthy foods to consume, women’s weight loss revolved around restriction and light exercising and food became associated with guilt and treats, but men were expected to attain lean muscles by eating whatever he wanted with food being understood to be fuel for his body (a machine).  

The 1970s American weight-loss culture focused on women transforming their bodies and becoming a new woman for their families; a woman’s weight correlated to her desirability as a wife or mother. A man that had abs was considered motivated, disciplined, and confident; this translated to being a desirable husband. These long-lived gender stereotypes continue to encourage society to create these standards, body ideals, diet-cultures, and unrealistic expectations per gender.  

For both, though, thinness became associated with Americanness, and one’s moral imperative was tied to the size of one’s body.