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Sunday, January 26, 2003In the identified group, overweight was more common in men than in women (44%, 811/1844 v 30%, 346/1145; 14%, 10% to 17%). In the unidentified group [individuals whose identities were unknown - ed. note] the difference in overweight between men and women was smaller (43%, 136/316 v 34%, 106/310; 9%, 1% to 16%). Overall, overweight in identified sitters was higher in people aged over 40 than in people aged 40 or younger (53%, 394/742 v 34%, 763/2247). The association between overweight and higher age was most pronounced during the 17th and 18th centuries (see Table C). During the 18th century among people over 40, 79% (166/209) of identified men were overweight compared with 51% (30/59) of identified women. From the 18th to the 20th century the prevalence of overweight decreased in men over 40. Portraits, of course, could only be had by the wealthy and prosperous, as could plenty of food. We no longer tolerate starving or medical neglect of the poor, so naturally as a whole we're all living longer and growing fatter. It isn't necessarily a measure of our laziness or gluttony, but of our general health and prosperity. We are, as Jane Austen would have put it, stout. ADDENDUM: Here's a gallery of portraits with goiters from the same paper. posted by Sydney on 1/26/2003 09:23:00 AM 0 comments 0 Comments: |
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