The NFB is committed to respecting your privacy

We use cookies to ensure that our site works efficiently, as well as for advertising purposes.

If you do not wish to have your information used in this way, you can modify your browser settings before continuing your visit.

Learn more
Skip to content Accessibility
New release
Coming 
None

A Matter of Fat

1969 1 h 38 min
Leaving soon

This feature-length documentary follows a man as he sheds nearly half his body weight (63.5 kg) by complete starvation under hospital observation. The film explores what brought him to so desperate a course and catalogues what actions other overweight people are taking, singly or in groups, to reduce to healthier proportions. Medical authorities comment on some misconceptions and malpractices of the slimming industry.

We're sorry, this content is not available in your location.
Your rental expires on
None
You've already purchased this film.
Download it from My purchases.
Not available
Share
A Matter of Fat

Details

This feature-length documentary follows a man as he sheds nearly half his body weight (63.5 kg) by complete starvation under hospital observation. The film explores what brought him to so desperate a course and catalogues what actions other overweight people are taking, singly or in groups, to reduce to healthier proportions. Medical authorities comment on some misconceptions and malpractices of the slimming industry.

  • director
    William Weintraub
  • script
    William Weintraub
  • producer
    Desmond Dew
  • photography
    Don Virgo
    Eugene Boyko
    Jacques Fogel
  • sound
    Jean-Guy Normandin
  • editing
    Lucien Marleau
  • sound editing
    Bernard Bordeleau
  • re-recording
    Roger Lamoureux
    Michel Descombes
  • narrator
    Lorne Greene
  • music
    Robert Fleming

Enjoy the NFB experience on your favourite device

Education

Ages 15 to 17
School subjects
Students today might find some of the 1960's strategies to battle obesity surprising, such as the man who spends 7 months starving himself. What do students think of the scientific advice throughout the film? Have attitudes about body image changed since the film was made? What else do they notice about that era compared to the one in which they live? Have we made advances? Are we a healthier society today -- or not?