This paper examines critical perspectives on Body Mass Index (BMI) in ongoing societaldiscussions, focusing on poststructuralism, gender, consumer society, and race. Using fatstudies, intersectionality theory, and poststructuralism, the research integrates Foucault'spower theories. Analyzing six scholarly articles, the study categorizes BMI criticisms,emphasizing Foucault's biopower concepts as key to understanding societal regulation. Theparadox of power is evident as the slim body signifies self-discipline in a consumer-drivenculture valuing control. The paper also highlights BMI's critique for disregarding gender andrace, originating from the white male body, and immerses into historical associations. Thefindings of this paper uncovers how the discourse on BMI is connected to commercialinterests, politics, and economics, influencing power dynamics. In conclusion, the studyunderscores the link between BMI discourse, poststructuralism, and self-discipline, whilerevealing its limitations in a diversity context, with gender and race influencing criticism.Power, commercial interests, and societal politics emerge as crucial within this discourse.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:UPSALLA1/oai:DiVA.org:su-221806 |
| Date | January 2023 |
| Creators | Björklund, Cayenne |
| Publisher | Stockholms universitet, Institutionen för etnologi, religionshistoria och genusvetenskap |
| Source Sets | DiVA Archive at Upsalla University |
| Language | Swedish |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Student thesis, info:eu-repo/semantics/bachelorThesis, text |
| Format | application/pdf |
| Rights | info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess |
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