15. How we got here - why we think thin is best with Sarah Wirth

Bod Almighty

Have you ever questioned why we think thin bodies are best? Where did this idea come from? And why are we so attached to it?

In this episode of Bod Almighty we ask Sarah Wirth, an activist who works in the area of body studies and founded the Body Studies Project, an organisation dedicated to disrupting appearance and body-based oppression, how we got here. We get historical, philosophical and even mathematical (!) in our quest to understand why we prefer certain bods over others. Get ready for a juicy deep dive and prepare your mind to be blown!

In this episode of Bod Almighty don’t miss these enlightening gems:

- What maths has to do with which bodies we prefer (3:00)

- How BMI was invented and why (6:00)

- When BMI categories shifted overnight (8:00)

- Where standardised clothing sizes came from (9:47)

- Religion and weight (13:00)

- Find out what Hannah means by “slutty food”! (18:00)

- Where the word “diet” came from (21:00)

- Sex only for procreation?! (26:00)

- Exercise: creating a broader definition of health (27:30)

Resources mentioned on the show:

Maintenance Phase podcast episode discussing BMI (body mass index)

https://www.podchaser.com/podcasts/maintenance-phase-1490970/episodes/the-body-mass-index-96180461

Dr Sabrina Strings’ book, “Fearing the Black Body: The Racial Origins of Fat Phobia”

https://www.amazon.com/Fearing-Black-Body-Racial-Origins/dp/1479886750

Virgie Tovar pod on origins of weight loss and morality

https://www.rnz.co.nz/national/programmes/afternoons/audio/2018657877/virgie-tovar-you-have-the-right-to-remain-fat

If you liked this episode don’t forget to check out Season One of Bod Almighty including these guests:

Dr Lindo Bacon – How to Put Nutrition in its Place

Kate Spina – How to Eat Carbs