Masculinity and Body Weight in Japan

Drawing on the concept of the somatic self, Castro-Vázquez explores how Japanese men think about, express and interpret their experiences concerning bodyweight control.
Based on an extensive ethnographic investigation, this book offers a compelling analysis of male obesity and overweight in Japan from a symbolic interactionism perspective to delve into structure, meaning, practice and subjectivity underpinning the experiences of a group of middle-aged, Japanese men grappling with body weight control. Castro-Vázquez frames obesity and overweight within historical and current global and sociological debates that help to highlight the significance of the Japanese case. By drawing on evidence from different locations and contexts, he sustains a comparative perspective to extend and deepen the analysis.
A valuable resource for scholars both of contemporary masculinity and of medical sociology, especially those with a particular interest in Japan.

Genaro Castro-Vázquez is Professor of Asian Studies at Kansai Gaidai University, Japan

List of figures List of tables Acknowledgments Introduction 1 From Obesity and Overweight to Metabolic Syndrome 2 The Somatic Self and the Japanese 3 The Somatic Self, Metabolic Syndrome and the Mass Media 4 The Somatic Self of Some 'Chubby' (debu) Men 5 The Somatic Self of Some Beefy and Slim-muscular Japanese Men 6 The Somatic Self and Culinary Practices of Japanese Men 7 The Somatic Self and Social Class of Some Japanese Men Conclusion Index