Older generations of women and weight

[CoffeeMumForever]

Do you think older generations of women, eg 60 plus attach more importance on be-ring slim and frowning on heavier women? I think they do. Also it seems to be a middle class thing too, eg keeping looking good for your ‘man’

I thinks it's more late 70s 80s not as early as 60+

No. DM is 70 and doesn’t care. She would also laugh at the idea of doing anything for a man.

Is keep looking good for your “man” a middle class comment?

I don’t think any woman keeps slim for her man, not unless very young. In my opinion women do it for their health, confidence in their appearance and if anything to look good in front of other women.

I also don’t understand your class comment, you think only middle class women want to be slim? And for men? And working class and upper class women like to be fat?

it seems to be a middle class thing too, eg keeping looking good for your ‘man’

Both the sentiment and the phrasing are anything but middle class.

I'm 60+ and I'm trying to keep my weight under control for the good of my hip and knee joints! Very aware that once your ability to run and walk as much as you want lessens, you need fewer calories, and get fatter.
Edited to add; don't think class has anything to do with it. Strange take. 🤔

Op are you fat and working class or upper class? You’ve clearly got some chip on your shoulder about weight and middle class women.

I think historically it was more unusual to be very overweight, and therefore probably more stigmatised, so older generations of women still have that ingrained. I know my parents were obsessed with weight, and looking ‘tidy’ - my dad has a LOT to say about long hair on men, people wearing casual clothes in public etc!

I don't think it's a class thing.

But my mum mid 70s mentions her weight all the time. And I think about my weight all the time. Many times a day.

And the size of my stomach is very much attached to how content I feel!

Yes. My mother 60+ always been this way and I believe she inherited it from her mother.

I do see mainly middle class older women staying slim and lower and working class more likely to let themselves go and enjoy the cake.

I think the women in my family who are 70+ are a bit toxic in relation to weight. They will direct comments at the young females in the family for example will comment on their weight loss/ weight gain or make negative comments about their appetite in a way my generation would not do. I have had words with my DM and her sisters about this many times but they still do it.

In my experience, the obsession with 'looking good for your man' is among women who are financially dependent and are terrified of being unloaded as they age.

I actually do think class is a factor because for a certain generation of women the obsession with being slim wasn't coming from a healthy place, more that fat = shameful, thin = acceptable, and that was a more (though not exclusively) middle class sentiment. Let's hope that era is gone never to return.

I think it’s easier for older women to maintain a healthy weight and I suspect there is more motivation to remain a healthy weight when you are older

it’s easier because you are much more likely to have been brought up on healthy food and cooking from scratch. Smaller plates and portions were your norm ( on average )

and the motivation comes from seeing friends and family in ill health and dying from illnesses that are majorly more likely with crap diets and lifestyles. You know you are not young forever and you still want a life to live

and yes I will “frown “at “heavier” women because being overweight and the resulting problems account for something like a third of an overstretched NHS budget.

there is a class element - middle classes are by definition better educated so they know better the impact of poor diet. This coupled with a lower probability of being very poor which means they have the money for a decent diet - many tradespeople also earn as well but the education level means people make different choices when they do have money. Middle classs will prioritise health

those at the bottom of the financial pile don’t have much choice on the matter as unhealthy calories are typically all they can afford and treat food becomes much more important to your welfare when you really are at the bottom

I’m sixty and not remotely interested in acquiring or pleasing a man. Or anyone else really.

I have lost five and a half stone in a year in order to improve my health. I’m MC but have MC friends who are obese and have no interest in losing weight.

I don't always think it's a class thing !
Historically rich people were fat and poor people were thin !
I thing it's an era and some mental health issues for some woman !
My father's girlfriend old now very old was very very thin and she thought it was chic and she thought she was best because she could keep her weight low ! That's a mental health problem or low self esteem !
Nowadays I think people get slim to be fitter and feel comfortable there are such variables on this subject thou not just one answer !!

Nicely ageist, there. Because only older women are going on weightloss injections, for sure! 🙄

I disagree. I'm early 60s and definitely guilty. Rationally I know I'm wrong, but that doesn't stop the gut reaction.

Ouch! I don’t see that at all. I see women across the spectrum in all shapes and sizes. And find your comment a little offensive to be honest.

I think 60+ may be too young for those attitudes and think that is more prevalent among those even older (maybe 75+?) as being fat was much more uncommon in their younger days and usually frowned upon or laughed at.

My mother is in her 90s and has very skewed views regarding acceptable weight, a friend is dealing with an elderly mother who is regularly falling and confused, possibly low blood sugar, but despite medical advice she won't eat more than Ryvita and Marmite for breakfast to "stay trim" and another friend has a mother bedbound with dementia who still, on the rare occasions she speaks, comments on weight and food
I do, however, think that we were far more accustomed to commenting on things openly that nowadays would be tiptoed around as society, as a whole, was less considerate of and aware of sensitivities. Younger women are far more considerate of people of different weights, although maybe part of that is better knowledge of diet, health and wellbeing

@itsthetea Before you "frown" at "heavier" women, maybe you should check out the obesity paradox. Studies seem to show that people who are overweight or, even, mildly obese have better survival rates and reduced short term mortality than those of normal weight. Judging others is rarely a good way to behave

Nah, it's not just 60+ women.
You can't have missed hideous comments on SM around women's bodies and their weight?! That's not primarily 60+ women.

Open any thread on food or weight on MN and you will see that the weight related insanity and disordered eating is alive and kicking, it's just more insidious & less vocal in face to face interactions.

Our kids still see the high social value put on thinness and youth more than ever, so the madness isnt stopping anytime soon.

Snobbery alive and well on MN as per usual! The weight of working class women entirely down to them snuffling cake like hogs and nothing at all to do with income, education and availability of leisure etc… 🙄

It’s just an observation, and I’m as working class as they come so wasn’t being judgemental at all.