The Social Construction of 'Good Health'

Sikka, T

doi:10.1007/978-981-16-4290-6_12

The Social Construction of 'Good Health'

Lookup NU author(s): Dr Tina Sikka ORCiD

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This is the authors' accepted manuscript of a book chapter that has been published in its final definitive form by Palgrave Macmillan, 2022.

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Abstract

This chapter offers an exploration of the assumptions and values vis-à-vis what constitutes ‘good health’ where good health is defined as a co-constructed state of idealized expectations, performances, embodiments, and patterns of consumption dominated by gendered and technophilic knowledge regimes that reproduce regimented and coercive Western standards of health and beauty. Issues of social idealization, food trends (both dominant and counterhegemonic), dietary norms, and identity positions are taken up and examined through the lens of embodiment and a critical approach to health studies. A case is made for substantive change to this approach in line with health justice and fat activist movements.