Elizabeth Matelski | Endicott College (original) (raw)
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ieting and fitness has transformed into a multibillion-dollar business in America. The preoccupat... more ieting and fitness has transformed into a multibillion-dollar business in America. The preoccupation with exercise and dieting as a way to achieve bodily perfection is certainly not merely a modern creation of the twenty-first century. At the turn of the twentieth century, however, being underweight, not overweight, was the leading concern of medical doctors. The article chronicles how America changed from a 'build up' to a 'slim down' nation. In the years after World War II, slimming down became a national obsession. Starting in the early 1950s, Americans, particularly women, dieted and exercised their way towards skinnier, firmer and trimmer figures, due to a tightened relationship between fashion, foreign policy, insurance figures and medical opinion.
This project is the culmination of many years and uncountable hours of study, but it represents a... more This project is the culmination of many years and uncountable hours of study, but it represents a beginning as much as an end. Since the start of my graduate studies at Loyola University in Chicago, I have benefitted from the wisdom and friendship of numerous individuals. I can only begin to thank those who have helped me along the way. First, I would like to acknowledge the assistance of the archival staff at the
ieting and fitness has transformed into a multibillion-dollar business in America. The preoccupat... more ieting and fitness has transformed into a multibillion-dollar business in America. The preoccupation with exercise and dieting as a way to achieve bodily perfection is certainly not merely a modern creation of the twenty-first century. At the turn of the twentieth century, however, being underweight, not overweight, was the leading concern of medical doctors. The article chronicles how America changed from a 'build up' to a 'slim down' nation. In the years after World War II, slimming down became a national obsession. Starting in the early 1950s, Americans, particularly women, dieted and exercised their way towards skinnier, firmer and trimmer figures, due to a tightened relationship between fashion, foreign policy, insurance figures and medical opinion.
This project is the culmination of many years and uncountable hours of study, but it represents a... more This project is the culmination of many years and uncountable hours of study, but it represents a beginning as much as an end. Since the start of my graduate studies at Loyola University in Chicago, I have benefitted from the wisdom and friendship of numerous individuals. I can only begin to thank those who have helped me along the way. First, I would like to acknowledge the assistance of the archival staff at the