To Örebro University

In contemporary times, young peoples’ bodies have become a focal point of attention both outside and inside of school. In physical education (PE), the body has always been central to the pedagogical encounter. However, given the rise of normative discourses on healthy and ideal bodies on the one hand and the diversity in students’ identities and sociocultural backgrounds on the other, the body has become a tricky educational matter for PE teachers. In this symposium, we bring together three papers that explore from different angles how PE teachers relate to overweight bodies and body ideals in their pedagogical practice. The papers come from Sweden, where the PE curriculum encompasses education on health and body ideals. Based on the three papers, we will discuss needs and possibilities for improvement in contemporary teaching practices.

Paper 1: Obesity Discourse among Swedish Physical Education Teachers

Presenters: Korp, P.; Johansson, A.; Barker, D. & Quennerstedt, M.

Paper 2: Physical Education Teachers and Competing Obesity Discourses: An Examination of Emerging Professional Identities

Presenters: Barker, D.; Quennerstedt, M.; Johansson, A. & Korp, P.

Paper 3: Teaching on Body Ideals in Physical Education: Didactic Possibilities and Challenges

Presenters: Schubring, A. Bergentoft, H. & Barker, D..