Defining and defending 'unhealthy' practices: a discourse analysis of chocolate 'addicts" accounts.
Contemporary ideals of health and nutrition conspire to render the consumption of chocolate and similar snacks problematic. Individuals who self-define as 'chocoholics' therefore present an ideal opportunity to investigate how ostensibly unhealthy acts are defined, defended and maintained within a health-conscious climate. This article reports on an interview-based study with five self-professed chocoholics. A Foucauldian form of discourse analysis was applied to the interview transcripts and four main discourses identified: chocolate as dirty and dangerous; chocolate as pleasure; self-surveillance; and addiction. The function of such discourses in terms of upholding the moral status of these individuals is discussed.
Benford
Rebecca
R
University of Leeds, UK.
Gough
Brendan
B
D000739:Anecdotes as Topic; D016739:Behavior, Addictive; D002099:Cacao; D005260:Female; D006167:Guilt; D006801:Humans; D007406:Interview, Psychological / Q000379:methods; D008297:Male