Clubs of Hefty Status
In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, fat men’s clubs emerged across the United States, celebrating size as a mark of wealth and status. With a 200-pound weight minimum, these clubs attracted men who were proud of their large bellies. The New England Fat Men’s Club, one of the most popular, boasted nearly 10,000 members at its peak.
Feasts and Competitions
The New England club held biannual meetings with extravagant meals at Hale’s Tavern in Vermont. Members dined on nine-course meals, competed in leap-frog and broad jump contests, and socialized with government officials and business leaders.
Famous Attendees and Imitators
Former President William Howard Taft was offered membership but declined. The success of these clubs led to international imitators, like France’s “Le Club des Cents Kilos.”
Decline of the Clubs
As medical professionals began to highlight the health risks associated with obesity, the clubs’ popularity waned. By 1924, the New England Fat Men’s Club disbanded due to low attendance, signaling the end of an era that once celebrated excess.
Inside Fat Men’s Clubs: When Weight Was a Status Symbol 🥩
Clubs of Hefty Status
In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, fat men's clubs emerged across the United States, celebrating size as a mark of wealth and status. With a 200-pound weight minimum, these clubs attracted… pic.twitter.com/PW3sH7HUkV— Detective Tiger's Stories (@TBBOB2) August 28, 2024