Size acceptance: A discursive analysis of online blogs. Issue 3 (2nd September 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Davenport, Kate; Solomons, Wendy; Puchalska, Sylvia; McDowell, Joanne
• Is Part Of: Fat studies. Volume 7:Issue 3(2018)
• Page Start: 278
• Page End: 293
• Publication Date: 2018-09-02
• Subjects: Discursive analysis -- fat -- fat discourse -- fatosphere -- size acceptance; Obesity -- Social aspects -- Periodicals; Obesity -- Psychological aspects -- Periodicals; Overweight persons -- Periodicals; Body weight -- Psychological aspects -- Periodicals; 362.196398
• DOI: 10.1080/21604851.2018.1473704
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2160-4851

Abstract

ABSTRACT: Dominant discourses of "fatness" and "fat people" have implications for physical and mental health. Although alternative discourses such as "size acceptance" exist, there has been little consideration of the ways in which these alternative arguments (and speakers) may be positioned to be heard. Using a discursive thematic analysis, the authors demonstrate that size acceptance online bloggers have created a community online that enables them to persuasively provide alternative claims to "expertise, " which positions their views as credible and legitimate alternatives to those of more established authority figures—such as health professionals. This has implications not only for the lived experience of fat people, but also for researchers by emphasizing the importance of exploring not just what is said, but how, if we are to understand how different articulated positions are to be persuasive.