Weight of Modernity

An Intergenerational Study of the Rise of Obesity

Nonfiction, Health & Well Being, Medical, Reference, Public Health, Social & Cultural Studies, Social Science, Sociology
Cover of the book Weight of Modernity by Cathy Banwell, Dorothy Broom, Anna Davies, Jane Dixon, Springer Netherlands
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: Cathy Banwell, Dorothy Broom, Anna Davies, Jane Dixon ISBN: 9789048189571
Publisher: Springer Netherlands Publication: December 30, 2012
Imprint: Springer Language: English
Author: Cathy Banwell, Dorothy Broom, Anna Davies, Jane Dixon
ISBN: 9789048189571
Publisher: Springer Netherlands
Publication: December 30, 2012
Imprint: Springer
Language: English

Over a half of adults in the US, Canada, Australia and numerous European countries are now overweight or obese, a proportion that has risen sharply in the past two decades. Dominant biomedical explanations focus on the energy equation – an imbalance between energy intake and expenditure - and remedies focus on motivating individuals to restore the balance by eating better and being more active, or – in extreme cases – surgical intervention.

 

This book offers a perspective that sees increasing obesity as a social phenomenon as well as a public health problem. It contains detailed accounts of three generations of Australians’ experiences of changing environments and the emergence of social trends such as increasing availability of convenience foods, the individualisation and commercialisation of leisure, car reliance, and busyness. Participants' narratives are interwoven with sociological and historical analyses of changes to show how contemporary Australians are experiencing and adapting to dramatic socio-cultural and environmental changes that are reshaping their lives and, in many cases, their bodies. 

 

The book demonstrates that obesity is an unintended consequence of economic development accompanied by profound socio-cultural changes, and by identifying the key developments the authors propose leverage points. While the research was conducted in Australia, the fundamental drivers of rapid weight gain are equally present in other modern, secular societies.

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

Over a half of adults in the US, Canada, Australia and numerous European countries are now overweight or obese, a proportion that has risen sharply in the past two decades. Dominant biomedical explanations focus on the energy equation – an imbalance between energy intake and expenditure - and remedies focus on motivating individuals to restore the balance by eating better and being more active, or – in extreme cases – surgical intervention.

 

This book offers a perspective that sees increasing obesity as a social phenomenon as well as a public health problem. It contains detailed accounts of three generations of Australians’ experiences of changing environments and the emergence of social trends such as increasing availability of convenience foods, the individualisation and commercialisation of leisure, car reliance, and busyness. Participants' narratives are interwoven with sociological and historical analyses of changes to show how contemporary Australians are experiencing and adapting to dramatic socio-cultural and environmental changes that are reshaping their lives and, in many cases, their bodies. 

 

The book demonstrates that obesity is an unintended consequence of economic development accompanied by profound socio-cultural changes, and by identifying the key developments the authors propose leverage points. While the research was conducted in Australia, the fundamental drivers of rapid weight gain are equally present in other modern, secular societies.

More books from Springer Netherlands

Cover of the book Nanodevices and Nanomaterials for Ecological Security by Cathy Banwell, Dorothy Broom, Anna Davies, Jane Dixon
Cover of the book Advances in Design Methods from Modeling Languages for Embedded Systems and SoC’s by Cathy Banwell, Dorothy Broom, Anna Davies, Jane Dixon
Cover of the book Simulation and Imaging of the Cardiac System by Cathy Banwell, Dorothy Broom, Anna Davies, Jane Dixon
Cover of the book International Handbook on the Demography of Sexuality by Cathy Banwell, Dorothy Broom, Anna Davies, Jane Dixon
Cover of the book Neuronal Tissue-Nonspecific Alkaline Phosphatase (TNAP) by Cathy Banwell, Dorothy Broom, Anna Davies, Jane Dixon
Cover of the book Medical Challenges for the New Millennium by Cathy Banwell, Dorothy Broom, Anna Davies, Jane Dixon
Cover of the book Immune Metabolism in Health and Tumor by Cathy Banwell, Dorothy Broom, Anna Davies, Jane Dixon
Cover of the book The SimCalc Vision and Contributions by Cathy Banwell, Dorothy Broom, Anna Davies, Jane Dixon
Cover of the book Nuclear Radiation Nanosensors and Nanosensory Systems by Cathy Banwell, Dorothy Broom, Anna Davies, Jane Dixon
Cover of the book The Future of Aging by Cathy Banwell, Dorothy Broom, Anna Davies, Jane Dixon
Cover of the book From Molecular to Modular Tumor Therapy: by Cathy Banwell, Dorothy Broom, Anna Davies, Jane Dixon
Cover of the book Engineering Behaviour of Rocks by Cathy Banwell, Dorothy Broom, Anna Davies, Jane Dixon
Cover of the book Natural History Dioramas by Cathy Banwell, Dorothy Broom, Anna Davies, Jane Dixon
Cover of the book The Sociology of Community Connections by Cathy Banwell, Dorothy Broom, Anna Davies, Jane Dixon
Cover of the book Direct Protection of Innovation by Cathy Banwell, Dorothy Broom, Anna Davies, Jane Dixon
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy