„Jakie matki, takie dziatki”, czyli dominujące dyskursy o otyłości w perspektywie biopedagogicznej

Abstract

According to WHO data 65% of world population lives in countries where obesity causes more deaths then underweight. This applies also to Poland where half of the population of people aged 19–59 suffers from overweight. In order to counteract obesity numerous public health campaigns are being run. They are focused predominantly on promoting healthy lifestyle as well as on changing people’s eating habits. This paper develops critical analysis of such a public health campaign, “Jakie matki takie dziatki” billboard campaign. It also presents historical variability of obesity cultural understanding and reveals how excessive weight became a subject of interest for biopolitics. Analysis of the campaign itself concentrates on how obese person representations is formulated and what potentially discriminating effects this representation has. Finally, the paper provides general criticism of public campaigns promoting healthy lifestyle and advocates for politics of providing health-friendly environment instead.