Obesity, neoliberalism and epidemic psychology: critical commentary and alternative approaches to public health

Abstract

Obesity and neoliberalism are two concepts that generate plenty of concern and debate, arguably leading to more heat than light when terms like ‘epidemic’ are thrown into the fray. Drawing from critical weight studies, this paper offers critical commentary on the recent designation of obesity as a ‘neoliberal epidemic’ that can be attributed to energy-dense foods and a toxic mode of political economic organization. After delineating neoliberalism and the use of this concept in health studies, discussion turns towards contrasting invocations in the ‘fat field’ before seeking to navigate a course through this terrain. In addition to contributing to critical weight studies and the obesity debate, this commentary engages discussions on the perils of invoking neoliberalism in public health critique. In conclusion, we move from critique to hope with reference to epistemologies derived from alternative health practices, notably frameworks incorporating Indigenous knowledge(s).

Keywords:

• Obesity
• fatness
• neoliberalism
• epidemic
• critique
• hope

Acknowledgements

We would like to thank the anonymous reviewers and editor for comments on an earlier draft of this paper.