O, brave fat world

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This slender volume is based on presentations from the symposium "Cultural Aspects of Overweight and Obesity in the U.S.A." held on November 28, 2003, at Philipps-Universität Marburg. Recent reports highlight the widening of theater seats in Colorado from 17 to 22 inches due to the increasing size of Americans, reflecting a serious health issue linked to obesity. This growing prevalence poses significant risks, including heart disease, high blood pressure, and diabetes, leading to escalating healthcare costs. While eating is a biological necessity, food habits are also cultural phenomena shaped by society. The symposium explored the interrelationships between cultural, literary, and psychological aspects of obesity. The introduction by Ingrid Thaler provides background on definitions and statistics. Angelique A. Sallas discusses cultural contradictions in America, while Diana von Finck analyzes representations of obesity in American literature. Sylvia Titze examines physical activity's role, and Sabine Trenk-Hinterberger offers psychoanalytical insights. The epilogue interprets Thanksgiving's literary representations within American national identity. It is hoped that these papers will foster new perspectives in American Cultural Studies. Acknowledgments are extended to contributors, secretary Waltraud Nau, research assistant Ingrid Thaler, and Angelique A. Sallas for her meticulous review of the English versions.