Was Obesity a Problem in the 19th Century?

Today, obesity is a problem that affects millions of people worldwide. But how did our ancestors deal with their weight? Was obesity a problem in the 19th century? Were they as concerned about their girth as we are today, or were other factors more important? Maybe you stumbled across this post looking for a corpulent crossword clue. Well, you are sure to find lots of information about corpulence here. In this post, we’ll explore the history of obesity in the 19th century and find out why those with weight issues were beginning to be viewed as unhealthy.

Obesity Wasn’t as Big a Problem for People in the 19TH Century as It Is Now

There’s no doubt that obesity is a problem in America today. But it wasn’t as big a problem for people in the 19th century. For some, it was even considered desirable.

The key difference between now and then? Well, for one thing, people were generally healthier and didn’t eat highly processed foods or drink soda all day long. They also were much more physically active than we are today. In fact, many of them worked on farms or in factories where they had to be active every day just to survive! Plus, the food they ate was more nutritious because regency era people pickled a lot of things in vinegar instead of being preserved with sugar or salt (which we know are bad for us). That means there weren’t as many overweight people even when they got older—and fewer still who had obesity!

Many People in the 19TH Century Were Physically Active

If you were to stand on the streets of London in 1800 and observe people, you would see that they were physically active. They engaged in physical activity from dawn to dusk in their daily lives. They walked to work or school, rode horses and carriages for transportation, and spent time working with their hands on farms and in factories. As a result of this constant physical exertion, most people could efficiently perform tasks such as lifting heavy objects or walking long distances without any difficulty.

At night when they returned home from their jobs or chores and relaxed at home, they did not sit around watching TV all day long (because there was no TV then). Instead, many families participated in outdoor activities like horseback riding or dancing to live music so everyone could participate regardless of age or skill level! Of course, these types of activities are still possible today but not done as frequently.

19TH Century Doctors Were Beginning to Recognize Obesity as a Medical Condition

It was during the 19th century that obesity began to be recognized as a medical problem. The term “corpulent” was used in Regency England to describe someone who was very fat. Medical issues were beginning to be linked with obesity or corpulence. For example, heart issues and difficulty breathing were attributed to corpulence. The medical profession was not ready to accept obesity as a medical condition. However, it was getting there.

For example, in 1760, Malcolm Flemyng, M.D., a Scottish physiologist, said of obesity,

“Corpulency, when in an extraordinary degree, may be reckoned a disease, as it in some measure obstructs the free exercise of the animal functions; and hath a tendency to shorten life, by paving the way to dangerous distempers.”

Dr. Malcolm Flemyng, 1760

In 1808, another Scottish doctor, Dr. William Cullen, proclaimed,

“The only disease to be mentioned in this chapter, I have, with other nosologists, named Polysarda; and in English it maybe named Corpulency, or, more strictly Obesity…This corpulency or obesity, is in very different degrees in different persons, and is often considerable without being considered as a disease. There is, however, a certain degree of it, which will be generally allowed to be a disease; as, for example, when it renders persons, from a difficult respiration, uneasy in themselves, and, from the inability of exercise, unfit for discharging the duties of life to others: and for that reason I have given such a disease a place here.”

Dr. WIlliam Cullen, 1808

Finally, at the end of the Regency era, in 1825, Dr. Robert Thomas, a British doctor, proclaimed in a medical journal,

“Corpulence, when it arrives at a certain height, becomes an absolute disease.”

Dr. Robert Thomas, 1825

However, Dr. Thomas was not quite on the subject of corpulence. He also discussed it in a medical journal in 1813 with a similar quote.

Corpulence was generally attributed to lifestyle decisions such as overeating and a life of leisure or one that is anxiety-free. A round belly could also be attributed to those who drink too much-fermented liquor like a beer belly!

Medical Problems Were Linked to Obesity

As the 19th century progressed, obesity was linked to heart problems and a slow pulse. Obesity was also associated with apoplexy, which is a stroke. It was thought to hinder blood circulation and the nervous system if you were overweight.

Obesity is not only unhealthy for its sufferers but also has an impact on their lives. In an era where food could sometimes be scarce, being overweight could mean that you didn’t have to work and earn money for your family or yourself but lived a life of leisure. This could be a mistress, wife, or someone of the aristocracy.

People tried many different weight loss methods such as medicine, exercise, dieting or eating less, herbal remedies/pills made from roots/leaves, etc., wrapping around the waist using binding cloths called girdles or corsets. Purging was also common. This meant taking something that made you sweat or urinate. While some Regency-era methods could have been considered eating disorders by today’s standards, doctors did not formally recognize the first eating disorders into the later Victorian era, almost 50 years later.

Regency Romance and Obesity

Obesity is becoming more and more frequent to read about. Overweight women being the heroines of Regency-era romance novels is now a trending phenomenon. It is rare to almost nonexistent to read about the heroes of such stories being overweight. The heroes are not even corpulent, even though they have all the lifestyle markers for being overweight in the regency era. They drink a lot and live a life of leisure.

One example of a book where the heroine is overweight is Lady Luck and the Lyon by Chasity Bowlin.

Another example of a book where the heroine is overweight is Romancing Mr. Bridgerton by Julia Quinn.

Regency Era Art Portrays a Variety of Body Types

The Regency Era witnessed a wide range of body types portrayed in art. Sometimes, these depictions were comical; other times, they were realistic.

Both men and women were represented as obese and thin.

Based on this evidence, we can conclude that obesity was around during the Regency Era. However, it may not have been as prevalent as current fictional romance novels lead us to believe.

Obesity is one of society’s most controversial, pressing, and rising issues. While it is on the rise, we will continue to see obesity in romance novels because people follow what is profitable. While obesity is viewed differently today than it was 200 years ago, it still existed in the culture.

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