Peer-Reviewed Journal Details
Mandatory Fields
Monaghan, LF
2007
June
Body & Society
McDonaldizing men's bodies? Slimming, associated (Ir)rationalities and resistances
Published
()
Optional Fields
McDonaldization men's fatness obesity resistance slimming MORTALITY OBESITY
13
2
67
+
Using Ritzer's McDonaldization of Society thesis as a reference point, this article contributes sociologically to burgeoning critical obesity studies. It does this using qualitative data from a study of men and weight-related issues undertaken in northern England. Taking a counter-intuitive approach, it explores whether slimming proceeds in accord with the rationalizing principles of the fast-food restaurant: calculability, efficiency, predictability and technological control. Rather than reproducing a simplified and ultimately stigmatizing account, where fatness is a pathological bodily state caused by fast food, this article explores the degree to which fatness is actively made into a correctable problem using McDonaldized principles. Irrationalities and meaningful resistances associated with the public and private fight against fat are also considered.
1357-034X
10.1177/1357034X07077776
Grant Details