What healthy body models tell us about societies

An introduction to healthy body public policies

Abstract

Health policies are never exclusively sanitary or economic, but are anchored in systems of representations and in a way of thinking about the autonomy of the person. These models are followed by physical and dietary practices which may contradict the principles of health on a biomedical level or what is expected in terms of biological effects. Hygienist’s discourses correspond, in fact, to social and cultural norms. However, although designed for the good of all, do these hygienic policies not become a source of discrimination? Are they not also contested by the groups and individuals concerned? Independently of knowing what a healthy body is, what do this government of bodies and healthy body models tell us about societies?