Governing obesity in Denmark

Abstract

This chapter analyses predominant forms of political rationalities, expert knowledge, and governing technologies employed in the attempt to govern obesity in Denmark. If first examines how obesity became the object of biomedical and political concern through epidemiological studies. Moreover, it accounts for the key health promotion programmes employed to control obesity in Denmark. It points to the importance of a highly organized civil society, notably the gymnastics movement. Finally, by exploring two obesity control programmes targeting child obesity, the chapter examines the workings of health promotion.