In the 2080s speed and volume eating, ‘scoffing’, became a competitive sport and extreme obesity became the desired body image for many Mega-City citizens. In retaliation to the percieved injustice of the food restrictions following the Apocalypse War, militant elements of the obese founded the ‘League of Fatties’ believing they had an inalienable right to food, which they would take by any means necessary. Whilst an individual Fattie might seem a less than threatening figure, the first food raids saw massed wedges of obese activists trundling forward supported by their BeliWheels®. With their layers of flab providing a natural armour against anything but the most lethal weapons, little could stop them once momentum was gained. Large numbers of ‘Skinnies’ and ‘Bones’ were crushed in the stampedes and from belly flops but, after the death of several Judges trying to protect a food storage facility, a crackdown was swift. Most Fatties were confined to special Fat Blocks, kept on strict diets for the maintenance of public order and their own protection until their weight fell below the 300-kilogram mark.

The ranks of the many Mega-City One gangs are made up of juves, punks, and lieutenants amongst others. Starting as early as the tender age of six years old, the majority of juves carry melee weapons although some may have low-grade firearms. Low-level gang members, punks are the foot soldiers of the organisation, acting as extra muscle when necessary. Gang lieutenants coordinate the day-to-day activities of the gang and are usually permitted to organise heists and run their own rackets as long as they bring in the creds and continue to show respect and fealty to the boss.