The formation of classed health lifestyles during youth: A two‐generational, longitudinal approach

The topic of this article is the classed formation of health lifestyles in youth. Based on longitudinal interview data (41 youths, 17 of their parents) from two contrasting class contexts in Norway, we investigate how health lifestyles are reproduced across generations and during youth, focussing particularly on diet and physical activity. We find that young people's health lifestyles are powerfully shaped by social class and moulded over time in ways that may impact their further health trajectory. The health practices of upper-class young people are closely monitored; they are practically and emotionally scaffolded by their parents. Developing a rigorous health orientation, they come to view health as an investment for the future, intrinsically linked to achievement, discipline and identity. Working-class…