Art History May Improve Obesity Treatment

Michael Yafi, a pediatric endocrinologist at UT Health in Houston, Texas, presented research at the European Congress on Obesity arguing that understanding historical depictions of obesity can improve doctor-patient interactions. Yafi suggests that recognizing how art historically portrayed obesity as a sign of wealth, power, and beauty can foster empathy and reduce judgment in physicians. He points to the Venus of Willendorf, medieval religious art, and portraits of composers like Bach and Handel as examples.

Research from Turkey shows that roughly 81% of Ottoman emperors from 1258 to 1926 were depicted with obesity. The shift in perception occurred in the last century with the link between saturated fat, disease, and a new ideal of thinness. Yafi also speculates that the facial changes caused by GLP-1 weight loss drugs will become a subject for artists.

The research acknowledges that it focuses on depictions, not lived experiences, and doesn’t address the health risks associated with obesity. Yafi believes that a more nuanced understanding of obesity’s history could lead to better patient outcomes through holistic care.