Weighty Words, Heavy People: How Diet Books Feed the Obesity Epidemic, 2023
Scope and Content Note
The series contains Master's theses from 1943 to present. The theses consist of either a production book and a media component or solely a production book. The production books were originally submitted as physical bound copies, but were later submitted digitally. The physical production books are stored offsite and the digital production books are stored in the College's preservation repository.
The media components consist of U-matic tapes, VHS tapes, CDs, DVDs, and Blu-rays and changed to digital submissions in 2020. There are also a handful of audiocassette tapes and one USB. The media components are stored onsite at the Archives.
Dates
- 2023
Creator
- Wilson, El (Author, Person)
Conditions Governing Use
The thesis is restricted due to FERPA, permission from the author is required before you can view the thesis.
Extent
146 pages (146 pages)
Language of Materials
From the record group: English
From the record group: Chinese
From the record group: Spanish; Castilian
Overview
"America faces a public health crisis of obesity and metabolic disease, which disproportionately impacts low-income and BIPOC communities. Simultaneously, the diet book industry has populated shelves with claims of fast, permanent, and healthy weight loss, almost none of which are backed by scientific evidence. By exploring the author's personal experience and compiling research on the history of the diet book industry, obesity and type 2 diabetes rates, and the causes of obesity in low-income populations, this project implicates the diet book industry in the metabolic disease epidemic. Diet books shift the blame away from a racist and inequitable food system and onto individuals by propagating the idea that obesity is a choice rather than a medical problem. The only way to negate the harms of these books and the diet industry at large is to rebuild our food system toward health rather than profit." -- Abstract
Physical Location
RG 010.01B Writing, Literature & Publishing
Physical Description
146 pages
Repository Details
Part of the Emerson College Archives and Special Collections Repository
Walker Building, Room 223
120 Boylston Street
Boston Massachusetts 02116 United States
(617) 824-8301
archives@emerson.edu