The Mauritanians consider obesity a status symbol
The fitness industry has witnessed a steady soar in the past few years. More and more men aim for a Greek God-like physique and eat a high-calorie diet to fuel their bodies and gain mass. However, these bodybuilding diets seem like nothing compared to the diets of women of Mauritania, a West African country. Women here are fed calories, often forcibly, three to four folds compared to what a professional bodybuilder consumes.
Mauritanians believe that being overweight or even obese is a symbol of beauty. We were just as shocked when we read how these people believe that the more overweight a woman is, the more her husband can afford to feed her. Therefore, the obesity of the bride was equated to the groom’s economic status.