Body Practices: A Technical Formalization of an Approach for Intervention in Education and Health

Abstract

In recent decades, the concept of body practices has gained increasing relevance in research and interventions related to education, health, and public policy, particularly in Latin America. However, its use is characterized by considerable conceptual heterogeneity and the lack of clear operational definitions to guide its consistent application. This technical note aims to formalize the concept of body practices based on the evidence and tensions identified in recent literature, proposing a technical definition and delineating its main constitutive dimensions. Through a conceptual systematization, operational criteria are identified to distinguish substantive uses of the approach from merely nominal applications, as well as its fields of application, strengths, and limitations. The main contribution of this technical note lies in providing an operational conceptual tool that supports the rigorous use of the body practices approach in research, intervention, and policy design, while preserving its critical orientation and contextual sensitivity.