To[o] much eating stifles the child'

Fat bodies and reproduction in early modern England

Bibliographic Data

ID4557217
AuthorsSarah Toulalan (0000-0002-3722-2972, University of Exeter, corresponding author)
Year2014
Volume87
Issue235
Pages65-93
Publication date2014-02-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueHistorical Research (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0950-3471 • E-ISSN: 1468-2281
PublisherOxford University Press (OUP) (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.1111/1468-2281.12031
PMID25960608
OpenAlexW1493692596
LanguageEN
Citations received3
References cited52

This article examines associations between fat bodies and reproductive dysfunction that were prevalent in medical, midwifery and other literature in early modern England. In a period when fertility and successful reproduction were regarded as hugely important for social, economic and political stability such associations further contributed to negative attitudes towards fat bodies that were fuelled by connection with the vices of sloth and gluttony. Fat bodies were categorized as inherently, constitutionally, less sexual and reproductively successful. Consequently they were perceived as unhealthy and unfit for their primary purpose once they had reached sexual maturity: marriage and the production of children

Biology · Fertility · Political science · Politics · Reproduction · Sexual maturity · Sociology · Demography · Historical Economic and Social Studies · Historical Studies on Reproduction, Gender, Health, and Societal Changes · History · History of Medicine Studies · Law · Medicine · Ecology · Endocrinology

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