AMERICA EATS
by Athena Tacha
© 2009
In cultures where food is a luxury,
being fat is a sign of status.
The gratitude felt by America’s
pioneers after good harvests
established the tradition of
Thanksgiving, celebrated by
an abundant dinner with
indulgent eating.
After World War II, when
cars dominated life and
“fast food” restaurants
became popular, younger
generations of Americans
were fed junk food made
with meat products
full of hormones
that create meatier
animals – and larger
Children brought up on fast
food developed a liking for it
and grew increasingly
bigger than their parents.
Moreover, with the advent of
multiculturalism and
feminism, standards of
beauty
and fashion loosened up –
and so did the clothes.
Sizes got larger and
baggier, with extra-large
dominating. Sizes 6 and 8
are now what 10 and 12
A general gigantism and recklessness have taken over.
SUVs made for larger folks clutter city traffic (and increase
pollution).
Restaurants encourage
double
portions with bargain prices.
Food is served on huge
platters,
rather than in normal dishes.
Butter is spread on bread with
abandon, and desserts or drinks
For women in the
1940s, slim figures with
tight belts were the rule.
Then, a fat woman would have been unthinkable as a fashion
model.
At least now women have been freed from tight belts and bras…
Except for fashion models and
dancers, nowadays fewer young
women keep a trim figure and,
other than professional athletes, a
minority of men takes care of their
bodies.
Increasingly, huge bellies and
floppy bulges are becoming a
norm.
All seem happy with their choices.
Will airplanes and theaters develop seats for “special size” people?
Food is generally permeating our entire culture.
Even modern cosmology uses concepts such as
“black holes devouring galaxies”!
Having discarded religious codes that regulate fasting, perhaps humans are transmuting into
a new species of glutton giants.
Text by Athena Tacha
© 2009
Images from Google
Fat kids eat, title page: www.StrangeCosmos.com
McDonald food: ©2006 HowStuffWorks
Fat model Beth Ditto: photo Robert Maxwell
Athletic man: photo Athletic-Men.com