I was pondering, as I am wont to do, and it struck me how I could never recall anyone being overweight or obese in Star Trek. As it is such an issue today, and has been a major one issue for the last 10-15 years, I was wondering if it was ever addressed in Star Trek?
I found data for levels of obesity going back about as far as Star Trek has run for, and I can understand why it may not have been addressed in ToS, as that show was primarily focused on finding new and interesting species, planets and conflicts. But later on, during TNG, and beyond it feels like the show became more about the characters’ development and addressing personal issues the audience could relate to. Around this time too, obesity became more prevalent in the general populace.
I'd have imagined with the development of the replicator as an instant-food creation device, obesity levels would have risen considerably, even if only temporarily.
Furthermore I can see that Starfleet may not want physically unfit individuals serving, but there are, at least in DS9, plenty of civilians shown who would not be subject to those (if any) regulation.
I understand that there various other explanations for obesity than over-eating, including epigenetics, pollution and lack of sleep. Some of these I could imagine could be tackled in the Star Trek utopia, but not all of them. Even so I could imagine it would be addressed in passing.
So:
- Are overweight, or obese people ever seen or described in the canon of Star Trek (film, show, book)?
- Is the issue of 20/21st century obesity ever addressed in the canon?