Author Description

This much expanded new edition explores the relationship between the body and society in a fast-food society. Agger focuses on issues of food, exercise, work, dieting, eating disorders, fashion, bariatric and cosmetic surgery, and health. The new edition updates examples and statistics throughout and it offers three timely chapters that did not appear previously. Agger addresses the dilemma that we have ample access to abundant calories but lead lifestyles and have jobs that for the most part do not enable us to expend those calories. He proposes solutions, both individual and structural, that involve re-orienting ourselves to exercise as play. The book is ideal for courses in introductory sociology, social problems, work, sociology of sport/leisure, gender, and health and illness.