Body weight, eating behaviour and physical activity practices among Chilean women from different socioeconomic positions

Maria Jesus Vega Salas, Angeliki Papadaki, Laura Johnson

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference Contribution (Conference Proceeding)

Abstract

In Chile, 34% of people aged over 15 years have an obesity condition. Nevertheless, this prevalence is unevenly distributed among the population; women and people with lower levels of education have a higher obesity prevalence. Traditionally, obesity prevention and interventions have mostly focused on individual willingness to modify the way people eat, move and rest. However, socialstructural answers have been taken less into account when developing these interventions. Considering Pierre Bourdieu’s framework on habitus and class distinction (1984), lifestyle behaviours can be considered as expressions of the social classes’ culture and habits. The habitus related to eating and physical activity practices embodies the systems of dispositions that cause actions, practices and preferences related to the body in taken-for granted routines. This habitus will then differ between social classes, expressing differences in practices and cares around the body and the body weight. This study explores the differences in eating behaviours and physical activity practices between women from different socioeconomic positions in Santiago, Chile. The analysis focuses on the differences around eating and physical activity practices through the women biographies according to their current socioeconomic position. It also explores the differences between their past and present eating and physical activity practices according to their social classes’ changes and life course events through their lives. Approximately 30 in-depth interviews were conducted with women from different socioeconomic positions. Preliminary findings from the interviews will be presented. This study was supported by the 2018 Phil Strong Memorial Prize.
Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationBSA Medical Sociology Study Group 51st Annual Conference Programme
Place of PublicationYork
PublisherBSA Publications Ltd.
Pages53
Number of pages59
ISBN (Print)9780904569612
Publication statusPublished - Sept 2019
EventBSA Medical Sociology Annual Conference 2019 - University of York, York, United Kingdom
Duration: 11 Sept 201913 Sept 2019
Conference number: 51st
https://www.britsoc.co.uk/media/25109/medsoc19_abstracts_book.pdf

Conference

ConferenceBSA Medical Sociology Annual Conference 2019
Country/TerritoryUnited Kingdom
CityYork
Period11/09/1913/09/19
Internet address

Research Groups and Themes

  • SPS Exercise, Nutrition and Health Sciences

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