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- Title
Big Persons, Small Voices: On Governance, Obesity, and the Narrative of the Failed Citizen.
- Authors
Elliott, Charlene D.
- Abstract
This essay probes the connection between obesity and citizenship in Canada, outlining the ways in which the fat body or "failed body project" is equally positioned as that of the "failed citizen." It examines how the personal body has been connected to that of the citizen, and traces the evolving narrative that explains why the ideal citizen is, literally and figuratively, a "fit" citizen. Contradictions emerge, because the figurative concept of citizen "fitness" is often mistakenly conflated with the visible look of leanness. The theoretical and practical implications of framing the larger body as a lesser citizen are then explored in light of these contradictions. Given that nearly 60% of adult Canadians—or 14 million people—are classified as overweight or obese, the framing of the fat body as the failed citizen is of considerable significance.
- Subjects
CANADA; ESSAYS; OBESITY; EMIGRATION &; immigration; RESIDENCE requirements; OVERWEIGHT persons; BODYBUILDING; SOCIAL participation; HEALTH planning; HEALTH policy; HEALTH
- Publication
Journal of Canadian Studies, 2007, Vol 41, Issue 3, p134
- ISSN
0021-9495
- Publication type
Essay
- DOI
10.3138/jcs.41.3.134