Obesity, bodily change and health identities: a qualitative study of Canadian women

Medicalised concerns about an obesity crisis persist yet more needs to be learnt about everyday orientations to weight (loss). This article reports and analyses data generated using qualitative methods, including repeated interviews and fieldwork conducted over one year in Canada with women (n = 13)...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Sociology of health & illness 2017-07, Vol.39 (6), p.923-940
Main Authors: Bombak, Andrea E., Monaghan, Lee F.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adult
Body fat
Body Weight - physiology
Canada
change
Critical theory
Eating disorders
Embodiment
fatness
Female
Health
Health Behavior
Health care policy
Health information
Humans
Ideal types
Obesity
Obesity - prevention & control
Obesity - psychology
pragmatism
Psychological distress
Qualitative Research
Quality of life
Reflexivity
Social Stigma
Stagnation
Stigma
time
Weight Loss
Women
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Summary:Medicalised concerns about an obesity crisis persist yet more needs to be learnt about everyday orientations to weight (loss). This article reports and analyses data generated using qualitative methods, including repeated interviews and fieldwork conducted over one year in Canada with women (n = 13) identifying as (formerly) obese. Three ideal types are explored using empirical data: (1) hopeful narratives; (2) disordered eating distress; and (3) weight‐cycling or stagnation. Core themes include women's desire to embody a thin(ner) future and the good life, the harms of intentional weight‐loss, and resignation to living as a fat woman whilst nonetheless challenging stigma. The article contributes to critical studies of weight/fatness, the sociology of bodily change and the embodiment of health identities. In concluding, we call for reflexive change in bodies of health knowledge, policy and practice.
ISSN:0141-9889
1467-9566
DOI:10.1111/1467-9566.12537