Fat in Four Cultures: A Global Ethnography of Weight

by Cindi Sturtzsreetharan, Alexandra Brewis, Jessica Hardin

Traits that signal belonging dictate our daily routines, including how we eat, move, and connect to others. In recent years, "fat" has emerged as a shared anchor in defining who belongs and is valued versus who does not and is not. The stigma surrounding weight transcends many social, cultural, political, and economic divides. The concern over body image shapes not only how we see ourselves, but also how we talk, interact, and fit into our social networks, communities, and broader society. Fat in Four Cultures is a co-authored comparative ethnography that reveals the shared struggles and local distinctions of how people across the globe are coping with a bombardment of anti-fat messages. Highlighting important differences in how people experience "being fat," the cases in this book are based on fieldwork by five anthropologists working together simultaneously in four different sites across the Japan, the United States, Paraguay, and Samoa. Through these cases, Fat in Four Cultures considers what insights can be gained through systematic, cross-cultural comparison. Written in an eye-opening and narrative-driven style, with clearly defined and consistently used key terms, this book effectively explores a series of fundamental questions about the present and future of fat and obesity.

236 pages, Paperback

Published June 22, 2021

Reviews

[Camie · Rating 4 out of 5]

read for class. solid methodology but idk if it really added to the literature. i suppose its more evidence to shift focus in medical weight interventions.

[Katie · Rating 5 out of 5]

For a book with an incredibly click-bait style title the content was nuanced and understanding. Discussions of globalization, fat, health, and social norms in specific areas were just incredibly interesting. Authors have written an additional paper more recently for anyone wanting to read more about it, or get a good understanding of what the book covers.