Synopses & Reviews
Synopsis
This much expanded new edition explores the relationship between the body and society in a fast-food society. Agger focuses on issues of food, exercise, work, dieting, eating disorders, fashion, bariatric and cosmetic surgery, and health. The new edition updates examples and statistics throughout and it offers three timely chapters that did not appear previously.
Agger addresses the dilemma that we have ample access to abundant calories but lead lifestyles and have jobs that for the most part do not enable us to expend those calories. He proposes solutions, both individual and structural, that involve re-orienting ourselves to exercise as play. The book is ideal for courses in introductory sociology, social problems, work, sociology of sport/leisure, gender, and health and illness.
Synopsis
Body Problems addresses the relationship between the body and society in a fast-food culture. Agger focuses on issues of food, exercise, work, dieting and eating disorders, fashion, bariatric and cosmetic surgery, and health. He addresses a growing, fundamental dilemma that we have ample access to abundant calories yet lead lifestyles and have jobs that for the most part do not enable us to expend those calories. He proposes solutions, both individual and structural, that involve re-orienting ourselves to exercise as play.
This second edition has been updated to include a new chapter on food capitalism and a concluding passage arguing Cartesian dualism can be resolved by exercising vegans in ways that would thwart this food capitalism and give people immense control over their bodies, health, and well-being. The book is ideal for courses in introductory sociology, social problems, work, sociology of sport and leisure, gender, and health and illness.