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Fast food, safe drug : an ethnography of vitamin use in contemporary Canadian society

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Fast food, safe drug : an ethnography of vitamin use in contemporary Canadian society

Whitmore, Karli (2006) Fast food, safe drug : an ethnography of vitamin use in contemporary Canadian society. Masters thesis, Concordia University.

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Abstract

One third of the population of North America uses nutrient supplements, spending billions of dollars per year on these products. Yet only a minute portion of individuals need vitamins supplements to correct physiological deficiencies. This thesis explores the underlying reasons for this huge discrepancy, trying to determine what it is about North American culture and lifestyle that causes people to take so many vitamins that they supposedly do not 'need'. Four major findings emerged from this research, which is based principally on data taken from fifty interviews. First, individuals are incited to take vitamins because they lack confidence in the food supply and their diet. Second, few deterrents to taking vitamins exist. Third, individuals easily establish vitamin taking routines ensuring consistent consumption. Finally, high supplementation can be attributed to normalisation of vitamin ingestion

Divisions:Concordia University > Faculty of Arts and Science > Sociology and Anthropology
Item Type:Thesis (Masters)
Authors:Whitmore, Karli
Pagination:v, 180 leaves : ill. ; 29 cm.
Institution:Concordia University
Degree Name:M.A.
Program:Sociology and Anthropology
Date:2006
Thesis Supervisor(s):Howes, David
Identification Number:LE 3 C66S63M 2006 W55
ID Code:8937
Deposited By: Concordia University Library
Deposited On:18 Aug 2011 18:40
Last Modified:13 Jul 2020 20:05
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