Eating habits and body ideals from the Renaissance period to the present: Perspectives from paintings on nutrition and body image

Abstract

INTRODUCTION Obesity, unhealthy eating habits and disordered eating behavior affect physiology and mental Visual arts, such as painting, have been shown beneficial in psychotherapy and stress-related disease management. Their impact on shaping eating habits and body image, and their possible use as a tool in health education for young people has not been thoroughly researched. METHODS In this review, significant paintings from the 15th century until the present, depicting eating habits and body image through the centuries are presented in the light of their capacity to transfer information about the shaping of eating habits and body ideals. The current review was performed under the auspices of the Hellenic Center of Education & Treatment of Eating Disorders (KEADD). RESULTS Paintings constitute a useful vehicle for capturing the changing eating habits according to the sociopolitical status of each era and the perceptions/emotions related to foods. Therein, the foods may be recognized as healthy or unhealthy, rich or poor, and the body shape perceived as beautiful, attractive, or ugly, as the concepts of beauty change over time. CONCLUSIONS The art of painting is a promising nutritional educational tool, serving as an agent for the promotion of a healthy body image. It can be utilized in imaginative school health education projects.