Year: 2012
Type: book-chapter
Abstract: Multiple factors contribute to the development, maintenance and treatment of obesity. Viewing obesity through a gender relations approach helps to understand how an individual’s interactions with others and society contributes to health opportunities and constraints, resulting in excess body weight. In gender relations theory, the body is viewed as both an agent and a product of social practice, whereby lifestyle behaviours influenced by an individual’s context may impact on the physical body. This chapter presents life histories of two men in their 20s who have experience with obesity. Analysis of the production and power relations, relationships and symbolism reveal the marginalising effect of their obesity, and how gender interacts with other social structures including ethnicity and class. A holistic approach that considers how an individual configures their masculinity or femininity may assist in promoting and maintaining weight loss in obese individuals as it addresses the struggle in society experienced by many obese people.
Authors: Murray Fisher, Natalie Chilko
Language: English
Topic: Obesity and Health Practices
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W1699522624