Peer-Reviewed Journal Details
Mandatory Fields
Monaghan, LF; Hollands, R; Pritchard, G
2010
June
Body & Society
Obesity Epidemic Entrepreneurs: Types, Practices and Interests
Published
()
Optional Fields
the body entrepreneurial self fatness moral entrepreneurs moral panic obesity FAT
16
2
37
71
This article explores the enterprising act of socially constructing fatness, or overweight and obesity, as an individual and collective problem. We argue that this process is complex and hence draw liberally on and extend an eclectic range of scholarship (e.g. the sociology of the body, moral panic theory, critical weight studies) when presenting a typology of obesity epidemic entrepreneurs, that is, those who actively make fatness into a correctable health problem. Using a variety of data, we consider six main ideal typical entrepreneurs: creators, amplifiers/moralizers, legitimators, supporters, enforcers/administrators and the entrepreneurial self. We conclude with a critique of obesity epidemic entrepreneurship and underscore the broader salience of our work for the sociology of the body/embodiment. The relevance of social studies of the body for the obesity debate and critical weight studies is also highlighted.
1357-034X
10.1177/1357034X10364769
Grant Details