Fighting obesity in England

Abstract

This chapter analyses predominant forms of political rationalities, expert knowledge, and governing technologies employed in the attempt to govern obesity in England. First, we look into some of the historical antecedents to contemporary health promotion by briefly accounting for the preventive measures addressing obesity in the early twentieth century. We then turn to the re-casting of obesity as a question of lifestyle conduct during the 1980s. This is followed by an examination of the mobilisation of the community by the recent British governments and the attempt to apply behavioural knowledge and techniques (nudging) to governing obesity. Finally, we zoom in on the governing of child obesity and the role that the so-called fat camps play in obesity management.