ABSTRACT
Introduction The methods used to maintain or to achieve a lean body have reached considerable dimensions in modern society. They have become a functional sector of substantial economic interest and are prominent in popular as well as scientific public discourses. On the one hand, the discourses emphasise the individual; on the other hand, possible interventions on the national or transnational level are contemplated.1 The focus lies on the individual body, which can hardly comply with the normative standard set by society. Nevertheless, this discrepancy between the real and the ideal body should, as far as possible, be minimised by individual effort.2 Meanwhile on the national level, extensive media efforts are made to permanently confront the public with unending advice on nutrition, exercise and weight loss, given by experts from different fields.3
