Why Did Ladies Of Yore Not Get Fat? In Jane Austen's day young women were not usually overweight even though it was unfashionable to be too thin. Food (for people in society) was plentiful and served in large quantities. (Just think of all those formal meals and banquets). But habits and customs were different. What can we learn from... Similar Editorial : Salmon Recipes For Low Fat by Sukhvinder Singh. | Source : Food Nutrition Guide