Contours of the Nation

This book critically explores the historical context of obesity in Canada, examining how societal perceptions shaped identity and power dynamics. Contours of the Nation provides valuable insights.

In Contours of the Nation, Deborah McPhail presents a critical historical examination of obesity in Canada, revealing how societal perceptions shaped the narrative surrounding this issue. The book delves into the ways in which obesity has been used as a marker to distinguish 'true Canadians' from others, effectively creating a hierarchy based on body size. Through her analysis, McPhail uncovers the implications of this classification, particularly in relation to Indigenous populations, who were often viewed through the lens of their body weight in the context of Canadian identity.

The discourse surrounding obesity in Canada did not emerge in isolation; it coincided with significant social changes during the postwar period. McPhail argues that the obesity epidemic is not merely a medical concern but a complex social phenomenon intertwined with historical power dynamics. By situating obesity within broader societal issues, she demonstrates how the narrative around body size has been leveraged to further colonial agendas, particularly in the North where Indigenous peoples were framed as 'modern Canadians' based on their weight, thereby undermining their claims to land and identity.

Contours of the Nation ultimately illustrates the intersection of race, gender, and national identity through the lens of obesity, providing a nuanced understanding of how bodies are materialized within the structures of power. McPhail's work invites readers to reconsider their perceptions of obesity and its implications for Canadian society as a whole.