Author Kim Chernin talks about the fixation American women have with their bodies, what they eat, and their appearances, and food in literature. Chernin reads excerpts from her book, "The obsession: reflections on the tyranny of slenderness" (New York: Random House, 1981) and answers questions from the audience (audience questions are edited out of this program). This program was recorded at the Sisterhood Bookstore in November 1981. Broadcast on May 17, 1982.