Murder of Crones

Diet Culture Part 1: We Never Stood A Chance

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Join us as we unravel the tangled web of media and pop culture's impact on body image. From the 'Twiggy' era to today's Instagram filters, we expose the absurdity of chasing the 'perfect' body. Tune in for a cheeky critique of diet culture and a call for embracing all shapes and sizes. It's time to ditch the scales and celebrate real beauty!

 

Show Notes:

Keywords: diet culture, body image, feminism, health, weight loss, patriarchy, women’s rights, societal standards, wellness and lifestyle, social media

Summary: In this episode, co-host’s Kori, Zabrina, and Jen explore the pervasive influence of diet culture on women’s body image and health, tracing back to the 1920s to present. They discuss the societal pressures to conform to unrealistic beauty standards, the emergence of diet fads, and the psychological impact of dieting. The conversation highlights personal experiences with body image and the historical context of dieting practices, including the rise of Weight Watchers and the normalization of diet pills. Ultimately, the episode critiques the flawed belief systems surrounding health and weight loss, emphasizing the need for a more holistic approach to well-being. 

Takeaways: 

  • Diet culture is deeply ingrained in society and affects self-perception. 
  • The 1920s marked the beginning of mainstream dieting for women.
  • Twiggy’s thinness set a new standard for body image in the 60s.
  • Weight Watchers helped to enforce a moral framework around food consumption.
  • Diet pills were widely prescribed without consideration for health risks.
  • Disordered eating was often dismissed as trivial issues.
  • The ideal body image has shifted over the decades but remains influenced by patriarchy.
  • Public weigh-ins and accountability in diet programs can be psychologically damaging.
  • The conversation around health should include emotional and mental well-being.
  • Personal experiences with body image reveal the lasting impact of societal standards.

    • Chapters:

    00:00 - Tech Troubles and Puppy Chaos

    01:25 - Introduction to Diet Culture

    05:48 - The Myths of Weight Loss and Health 

    08:25 - Defining Diet Culture

    10:08 - The 1920s: A Decade of Dieting

    14:34 - The Dark Side of Dieting: Tapeworms and Nicotine

    18:13 - Cultural Shifts in the 1940’s and 50’s

    22:05 - The Domestic Ideal and Body Image

    27:07 - The Rise of DIet Culture

    35:31 - Changing Standards

    References:

    Bordo, S. (1993). Unbearable Weight : Feminism, Western Culture, And The Body. Berkeley Univ Of California Press.

    British Columbia Ministry of Health. (2023, March 28). *Province takes actions to prevent shortage of diabetes drug*. Retrieved from Government of British Columbia website.

    Cameron, C., Craig, C. L., & Paolin, S. (1997). Local health-related behaviors: Are there differences? Canadian Journal of Public Health, 88(1), 32–36. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/9220950/

    Jones, J. M., Bennett, S., Olmsted, M. P., Lawson, M. L., & Rodin, G. (2001). Disordered eating attitudes and behaviours in teenaged girls: A school-based study. Canadian Medical Association Journal, 165(5), 547–552. https://doi.org/10.1503/cmaj.165.5.547

    Minks, B. (2022). The Anti-Diet Workbook. Simon and Schuster.

    National Institute of Nutrition. (1996). Tracking nutrition trends: 1989–1994. Ottawa, ON: National Institute of Nutrition.

    Contact Information: Find @MurderofCrones on You Tube, Tik Tok, Facebook and Instagram. Email : [email protected]

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