Unlearning curves: how adult learning about weight loss is constructed through slimmers’ stories

Adult educators have always been interested in learning that takes place outside
formal educational institutions. Work-based learning has received particular
attention (Malcolm and Zukas, 2006) but learning through leisure such as
museum and national park visiting (Taylor, 2006) and participation in reenactment
societies (Coles and Armstrong, 2008) is also recognised. The focus
of this research is on what adults learn through attendance at slimming clubs.
These are widespread and constitute potentially significant sites for learning.
This study examines the readers’ stories that appear in Slimming World
Magazine, to see how they construct the learning that takes place through
membership.