The Right Stuff

I'm watching The Right Stuff on television. One thing they don't mention in the selection of the astronauts is that none of them could be taller than 5'11" in order to fit into the capsule. They also had to be very thin. Like many of the people who have to maintain a very light weight for their professions, dancers, jockeys and such, I wonder if they used weight loss pills in order to help them maintain the low weights necessary. It would have made sense, but I don't think there were any weight loss pills back in the late 50s and early 60s. It would have been easier for them today when there is such a great deal of advancement in weight loss technology, and the knowledge of how to do it safe.