Did fat people always exist?

[Anonymous]

I am serious about this.

I don't know what to think: lets say in the timevwhen jesus lived, people didn't have much to eat and I am asking myself if fat, overweight people existed?

Do you know? Let me know...

Updates

+1 y

You say that only the wealthy were fat. But when I look at portraits of rich and famous people (kings, queens, scientists,...) they were all thin and slender.

[OpenClose]

There were a few, yes. Usually the fabulously wealthy. They were (and still are) considered especially attractive in places where starvation runs rampant. Over here, obesity and heart problems are the epidemic, so it sorta works in reverse.

However, it was never even remotely like it is today. Even just 30-40 years ago, the obesity rates were less than a third of what it is now. And we're really starting to see the social implications, since most of our attractiveness to each other had developed on a much thinner frame.

[TheGoodTheBadTheHOT]

Yes, they did.

In the earlier days of mankind, being fat was seen as a status symbol as only the rich and powerful could afford to not do any manual labour and stuff their mouth with food.

However, now due to the readily avaliable of cheap, fast food and junk food, as well as the rapidly growing fitness trend; being fat is no longer a status symbol of propserity, but one of quite the oposite.

As long as greed exists, fat people will exist.

[EverythingReal]

Before modern times, fat meant you could afford to overeat, and was a sign of wealth. Look hard enough at old riches, and you'll see the increase in size. Not all kings, queens, and scientists were rich, you'll know if they were because they'll be large. NOT MODERN RICHES.

[sephora]

probably only the really rich people were bigger, because they were able to afford the food.

[sephora]

@ update a lot of the time paintings didn't actually represent the person accurately, and a lot of times people who were scientists/ inventors were not rich.

[idrumsowhat]

Those that were fat were superior because it showed they had more food. If rewind to caveman era, then there was a VERY low chance of there being a fat person. For one there were all meats and veggies and fruits and constant exercise to stay alive, so fat person = impossible. All in all the more time passess the fatter people get (in general.)

[idrumsowhat]

Did you see the portrait of EVERY leader from before the 20th century? Doubtful. The fat people might not have been leaders but just wealthy, kind of like Bill Gates not being the President, just a super wealthy man.

[MileHighGuy]

As long as there were people who could afford lots of food, there were fat people. And just because they were painted thin doesn't mean they actually were thin in reality.

[kheserthorpe]

Only the wealthy.

However people with genetics to gain and hold fat better existed.

They're the ones who didn't die during famines.

Its just not such a useful gene now.

[kheserthorpe]

Not all wealthy people were fat.

But all poor people were thin.

[HighSchoolRepeat]

very good question. I wonder too because I don't have a clue.

i wouldn't imagine that they did tho.

[dudeman]

probably not in cave man days

[Cuddle_Muffin]

Yes.

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