Reader opinion The measured body and the perceived life do not meet in the obesity conversation

Opinion|Reader’s opinion

Kirsi Broström and Katri Mikkilä (HS Opinion 19.2.) concerned about food warning labels and argued that demonizing and dividing food into healthy and unhealthy is always an eating disorder behavior. Pertti Mustajoki (HS Opinion 21.2.) stated that there are differences in the health of food and that labeling can help consumers make healthy choices.

This tense set-up is often repeated. Its parties are objective science and the subjectivity of everyday life.

Nutrition science measures bodily functions and locates health risks. In health education, this is reflected as a citizen who monitors his or her activities, receives health information from experts and changes his or her lifestyle on the basis of these.

The expert provides research-based information on the links between nutrients and diseases. Measurement is thought to provide incorruptible information about the development of weight and blood pressure. This angle of view is the superpower of science. It involves an optimism about the individual’s ability and desire to change their lives based on the information they receive from experts.

However, the experienced life with its nuances and feelings has always taken place elsewhere. Life never completely bends to be measured. In this way, experts and authorities are easily excluded from the world of human life and its problems. The superpower of researchers – staying away from the research site – is becoming a problem.

It has been pointed out that constant self-measurement causes mental problems, self-dissatisfaction, shame and even eating disorders, and does not help with weight management. Society’s systems and institutions, such as food warning labels, subjugate people and flatten people’s prosperity.

There is support for both perspectives. Many have voluntarily changed their behavior through health promotion activities. Increased health has also increased people’s ability to fulfill themselves. At the same time, it is clear that we are under strong pressure from appearance and health. The constant pressure from different directions to make different parts of life as healthy, healthy and aesthetically correct as possible causes stress and alienation from your own body and life.

Both aspects and the tension between them are deeply descriptive of our time. Their roots go back to the 18th century, the time of the Enlightenment, beyond. I don’t think we need to, and we can’t choose between them. However, we can seek synergies that exploit both perspectives.

Piia Jallinoja

Professor, Tampere

Reader opinions are speeches written by HS readers, selected and delivered by HS’s editorial staff. You can leave a comment or read the principles of writing at www.hs.fi/kirjtamielipidekirjoitus/.