Survivors of Nazi Concentration Camps: Overweight or Fat?

During the horrors of the Nazi concentration camps, survival itself was a monumental feat. Among the myriad challenges faced by the survivors, one often overlooked aspect is whether any of them were overweight or fat upon liberation. This article delves into the unique circumstances that might have led to such a rare occurrence.

Food Distribution and Hunger in Wartime Germany

The food distribution system broke down during the war, leading to widespread starvation. After the surrender, the occupation rationed just 1,000 calories a day per person—a level well below the minimum required for basic sustenance. Notably, Gring, a survivor, was once fat, but after being jailed and placed on a 1,000-calorie diet, he became thin, as evidenced by footage from the Nuremberg trials.

Insertion of Overweight Individuals into Concentration Camps

At the start of the war, newcomers to the concentration camps could often be overweight. However, the fate of such individuals quickly changed. Those who were overweight were initially targeted for gassing, a practice that continued until the suspension of all gassing operations in the final months of the war.

Privileged Inmates in Concentration Camps

Despite the overall scarcity of food, there were still some privileged inmates in the concentration camps. These included:

High-status inmates: These were usually foreign hostages or individuals of unique standing, such as renowned artists. They were often housed in separate structures similar to a standard prison and had sufficient food, although availability was increasingly scarce over time. Kapos: These functionary inmates served as assistants to the guards and received special rations of food, cigarettes, and alcohol for their services in executing their duties.

On average, prisoners were likely to consume only about 600 calories a day, which was significantly insufficient for maintaining health. This led to rapid starvation and death, compounded by disease, maltreatment, and harsh labor conditions. Medical care was absent, exacerbating these issues.

Survivors' Stories

The story of the author's family serves as a vivid example of the conditions endured by survivors. Upon liberation, his father weighed about 90 lbs, and the author and his twin sister each weighed around 40 to 50 lbs. While unusual, it is not impossible to imagine that a few individuals might have been overweight even after a year in the camps, as starvation would not occur immediately but over weeks.

After liberation, prisoners desperately sought any edible food. The sudden intake of such quantities often led to fatal consequences due to overconsumption. Such cases were known as "canned goods victims." The author's parents were cautious, controlling their food intake and that of their children to avoid such peril.

The Aftermath of Liberation

The liberation brought a new set of challenges. Desperate to eat, survivors overindulged in quantities and nutrition they were not accustomed to, leading to many fatalities. The author, who cannot stand the sight of a Spam can or throw out stale bread, still craves simple comfort foods like a piece of bread with butter or a potato.

Life after the camps was marked by these memories and the necessity for careful food management. The author's wife, a psychiatrist, provided not only emotional support but also practical guidance in dealing with these lingering conditions.

The Takeaway

The experiences of survivors in Nazi concentration camps serve as a poignant reminder of the extreme conditions under which they lived. Despite the overwhelming scarcity of food, the author's story and other accounts demonstrate the resilience of the human spirit in the face of unimaginable hardship. Understanding these conditions can help us appreciate the enormity of the struggles faced by survivors and the challenges they continue to face post-liberation.