In the annals of history, fatness was once revered as a symbol of prosperity and vitality. Particularly in women, it was associated with fertility and beauty, while for men, it denoted power and affluence. Surprisingly, being thin was historically linked to poverty, weakness, disease, old age, moral inadequacy, and spiritual deprivation – beliefs that endured until the dawn of the 20th century.

This perception of beauty and abundance was etched in stone, quite literally, as exemplified by artifacts such as the Stone Age European figurine, ‘The Venus of Willendorf’, an ancient representation of matriarchal fertility dating back 25,000 years.

Even ancient civilizations like Egypt regarded excess body weight as a sign of success and prosperity. The Chinese Tang and Song dynasties viewed plumpness as a status symbol, and during the Renaissance period, having a fuller figure was seen as a mark of good health. It was believed that the extra weight provided a buffer against starvation and infectious diseases, reinforcing the notion that robustness equated to well-being.

Renowned Baroque artist Rubens captured the essence of attractiveness in his paintings, portraying men and women who, by contemporary standards, would be deemed obese. In certain cultures, such as Nigeria, Efik girls entering marriage spent time in designated ‘fattening huts’, where gaining weight was a rite of passage. The elders assessed their fatness after the stipulated period, deciding their readiness for marriage based on this criterion. In this context, fatness and a healthy body image was synonymous.

Even in the United States at the turn of the 20th century, voluptuousness was regarded as attractive, exemplified by the popularity of actresses like Lillian Russell, a 200-pound star who was considered a sex symbol of her time.

However, as time progressed, research shed light on the health implications of excess body fat. Concurrently, societal perceptions evolved, driven by changes in art, fashion, literature, and politics. These shifts gradually redefined the socially acceptable body, tilting the scale from fat to thin, setting in motion a changing perspective of body image. Despite this, the historical significance of fatness as a symbol of beauty, fertility, and prosperity remains an intriguing chapter in the story of human perception.