The Obesity Epidemic: An Historical Perspective
Sponsored by the APS History of Physiology Group

All around us are reports of the obesity epidemic. To many people it seems like this epidemic has burst on the scene only in the last 20 years. However, there is a long history of obesity, and this symposium will try to put some aspects of this problem into current perspective. For example, the body mass index can be traced to Quetelet in 1835, the first popular low carbohydrate diet book to Banting in 1863. In this symposium, these events and others in this epidemic will be put into perspective for the larger audience of interested scientists. The first speaker will be the conference organizer who will develop the historical picture of obesity and show that it is not a new problem. The introduction of the Quetelet Index, now called the body mass index, in 1835 and its gradual replacement of the life insurance table will be traced. The importance of central adiposity will be traced to its roots, along with the concept of “energy balance”.  The second presentation will be by a historian, Kenneth Albala from University of the Pacific, who will examine the historical patterns of changing food intake and how this has impacted the positive energy balance that everyone knows is related to obesity. The third speaker will be Kenneth Carpenter from University of California, Berkeley, who will trace the history of the popular diet from Banting forward. The final presentation by Eric Colman from the FDA will examine the history of medications for treatment for obesity. Before the Pure Food and Drug Laws were passed, the consumer seeking treatment for obesity was subject to a wide variety of treatments including vinegar, soap, and injections of organ extracts. The development of current standards has hit a number of bumps along the way.