Il peso del corpo: un'analisi antropologica dell'obesità a Tonga

Obesity is a worldwide issue of medical concern, but its causes are not simply genetical or physical: the social and cultural environment infulences eating habits and patterns, body and beauty ideals. The Kingdom of Tonga, the fifth country for obesity worldside (WHO 2007,)is an interesting example of such a multifaCtoriality. The dissertation, based on a year fieldwork in the Kingdom, analyzes the obesity phenomena from a social and cultural point of view using the anthropological skills, in a carefull historical perspective, to observe and interpret food and eating habits, body ideals and health care policies and institutions.