Affiliation:
1. Department of Sociology Memorial University of Newfoundland St. John's Canada
2. School of Maritime Studies, Fisheries and Marine Institute Memorial University of Newfoundland St. John's Canada
Abstract
AbstractCurrent neoliberal ideology in Western society encourages individuals to self‐monitor their body to control population health. The resulting self‐surveillance includes weight management, promoted as a marker of health. Disordered eating, like anorexia, is framed as a health disorder. However, weight loss is framed as a health initiative; we argue that these framings are engaging with the same body project, encouraging thinness as a marker of health and good bio‐citizenry. Using content analysis to compare online blog context created by individuals engaged in weight loss and individuals who identify as pro‐anorexia, we argue and evidence that both groups are engaged in body projects with shared parameters. Findings suggest each group is striving to embody a thin ideal through weight management. Specifically, weight loss bloggers and pro‐ana bloggers demonstrate similar diet and exercise behaviours in online diaries detailing their weight loss experiences. Thus, weight loss and anorexia exist on the same spectrum of responsible bio‐citizenry.
Subject
General Social Sciences,Arts and Humanities (miscellaneous)