DISCUSSION PAPER More than meets the eye. Feminist poststructuralism as a lens towards understanding obesity Megan Aston, Sheri Price, Sara Frances Louise Kirk & Tarra Penney Accepted for publication 24 September 2011 Correspondence to M. Aston: e-mail: megan.aston@dal.ca Megan Aston PhD RN Associate Professor School of Nursing, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada Sheri Price PhD RN Nurse Scientist IWK Health Centre, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada and Adjunct Faculty, Lawrence S. Bloomberg, Faculty of Nursing, University of Toronto, Ontario, Canada Sara Frances Louise Kirk PhD Canada Research Chair Health Services Research, Applied Research Collaborations for Health, School of Health and Human Performance, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada Tarra Penney BSc MA Health Promotion (Candidate) Research Associate Applied Research Collaborations for Health, School of Health and Human Performance, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada ASTON M., PRICE S., KIRK S.F.L. & PENNEY T. (2011) ASTON M., PRICE S., KIRK S.F.L. & PENNEY T. (2011) More than meets the eye. Feminist poststructuralism as a lens towards understanding obesity. Journal of Advanced Nursing 00(0), 000–000. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2648.2011.05866.x Abstract Aim. This paper presents a discussion of the application of a feminist poststruc- turalist-based theoretical framework as an innovative approach towards under- standing and managing the complex health issue of obesity. Background. Obesity is often viewed as a lifestyle choice for which the individual is blamed. This individualistic, dichotomous and behavioural perspective only allows for a narrow understanding of obesity and may even lead to misperceptions, stereotypes and marginalization of clients experiencing obesity. Feminist post- structuralism can provide a critical lens to understand the social construction of obesity and the broader environmental and cultural contexts of this health issue. Data sources. The theoretical framework draws from the writings of Foucault, Scott, Butler, Cheek, and Powers, published between 1983 and 2005. Discussion. The concepts of discourse analysis and power relations are explored and discussed in a clear manner so that nurses can easily apply this framework to their practice as they observe, question, analyse, critique and assess the care expe- rienced by clients who are obese. The concepts of personal and social beliefs, values and stereotypes are also discussed and examples of how to apply them in practice are provided. Implications. It is imperative that we continue to question our everyday nursing practices as we work to support clients, especially those who feel marginalized. This focus on power relations and reflective practice can give direction to new possibil- ities for change in obesity management. Keywords: discourse analysis, feminist poststructuralism, obesity, qualitative methodology Introduction The effective management of chronic diseases such as obesity is one of the greatest challenges facing the healthcare system. Once believed to be only a North American phenomenon, obesity is now an emerging healthcare problem globally (World Health Organization 2010). Management of obesity by healthcare professionals and clients has primarily focused on individual behaviour with little focus on social or cultural influences (Edmunds 2005). Interpersonal relationships between healthcare providers and clients have also been cited as important and integral to managing obesity (Puhl & Ó 2011 The Authors Journal of Advanced Nursing Ó 2011 Blackwell Publishing Ltd 1 JAN JOURNAL OF ADVANCED NURSING