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Demarcating Social Practices: The Case of Weight Management

Author

Listed:
  • Mikko Jauho
  • Johanna Mäkelä
  • Mari Niva

Abstract

The concept of weight management has gained currency in present political and social discourses on weight and health, organizing the various efforts to fight obesity and to assist individuals in controlling their weight. In this paper, we ask whether weight management is becoming rooted also in the everyday life of individuals. Adopting a practice-theoretical approach we study whether weight management constitutes an intelligible and distinct entity to people problematizing their weight. By analysing data generated by focus group discussions with Finnish consumers we investigate the ways in which people understand the concept of weight management, what kinds of techniques they use in order to manage their weight, and what kind of emotional and normative positions they take with respect to weight management. We analyse weight management in relation to eating, but acknowledge the role of another practices, such as exercising. We conclude that weight management is not a clearly defined entity, but located at the intersection of more established practices, healthy eating and slimming. We end our article by discussing the policy-implications of our findings.

Suggested Citation

  • Mikko Jauho & Johanna Mäkelä & Mari Niva, 2016. "Demarcating Social Practices: The Case of Weight Management," Sociological Research Online, , vol. 21(2), pages 10-22, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:socres:v:21:y:2016:i:2:p:10-22
    DOI: 10.5153/sro.3848
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Pajari, Pia M. & Jallinoja, Piia & Absetz, Pilvikki, 2006. "Negotiation over self-control and activity: An analysis of balancing in the repertoires of Finnish healthy lifestyles," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 62(10), pages 2601-2611, May.
    2. Chong Ju Choi & Carla C. J. M. Millar & Caroline Y. L. Wong, 2005. "Knowledge and the State," Palgrave Macmillan Books, in: Knowledge Entanglements, chapter 0, pages 19-38, Palgrave Macmillan.
    3. Angela Meah & Matt Watson, 2011. "Saints and Slackers: Challenging Discourses about the Decline of Domestic Cooking," Sociological Research Online, , vol. 16(2), pages 108-120, June.
    4. Christine Knight, 2011. "‘If You're Not Allowed to Have Rice, What do you have with your Curry?’: Nostalgia and Tradition in Low-Carbohydrate Diet Discourse and Practice," Sociological Research Online, , vol. 16(2), pages 121-132, June.
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