Research output per year
Research output per year
Abstract
Rising rates of obesity are of widespread public concern and are targeted by
public health policy around the world. In this paper, we examine the origins
of the most common definition of obesity, known as the Body Mass Index
(BMI). We draw on Skovsmose’s concept of formatting, combined with a
historical examination of the origins of the BMI, to show how obesity is a
form of realized abstraction. We discuss how mathematics therefore formats
obesity, indicate some of the consequences of the particular way this occurs
through the BMI, and suggest some possibilities for mathematics teaching
arising from this work.
public health policy around the world. In this paper, we examine the origins
of the most common definition of obesity, known as the Body Mass Index
(BMI). We draw on Skovsmose’s concept of formatting, combined with a
historical examination of the origins of the BMI, to show how obesity is a
form of realized abstraction. We discuss how mathematics therefore formats
obesity, indicate some of the consequences of the particular way this occurs
through the BMI, and suggest some possibilities for mathematics teaching
arising from this work.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Title of host publication | Proceedings of the Eighth International Mathematics Education and Society Conference |
| Editors | Swapna Mukhopadhyay, Brian Greer |
| Place of Publication | Portland OR USA |
| Publisher | Mathematics Education Society |
| Pages | 557-570 |
| Number of pages | 14 |
| Volume | 1 |
| Publication status | Published - 2015 |
| Event | Mathematics Education and Society International Conference 2015 - Portland, United States of America Duration: 21 Jun 2015 → 26 Jun 2015 Conference number: 8th http://mescommunity.info/MES8ProceedingsVol1.pdf |
Conference
| Conference | Mathematics Education and Society International Conference 2015 |
|---|---|
| Abbreviated title | MES8 |
| Country/Territory | United States of America |
| City | Portland |
| Period | 21/06/15 → 26/06/15 |
| Internet address |
Other files and links
Research output
- 1 Chapter (Book)
-
The mathematical formatting of obesity in public health discourse
Hall, J. & Barwell, R., 2021, Applying Critical Mathematics Education. Andersson, A. & Barwell, R. (eds.). 1st ed. The Netherlands: Brill, p. 210-228 19 p. (New Directions in Mathematics and Science Education; vol. 35).Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Chapter (Book) › Research › peer-review