Health in Western Sahara

Obesity

In Sahrawi ethnic groups, this concept of beauty is embodied through the practice of leblouh ("fattening"). Before marriage, girls intentionally overeat and perform limited physical activity for 40 days in order to be attractive for their soon-to-be husbands. Women will repeat this process if they want to gain weight after marriage. It is believed that traditional clothing of these ethnic groups require a heavier body in order to be attractive.^[1]

References

1. Rguibi, R; Belahsen, M (2006). Fattening Practices Among Moroccan Saharawi Women.