| Media sources are cited as a main source of health information. Agenda-setting theory posits that media messages potentially influence attitudes towards health issues, and can even impact individual behaviors and public policy. However, media misinterpretation of health issues may misinform and promote unhealthy behaviors. Little is known about how the American media, especially newspapers, report on lifestyle health issues. This study examined how six widely-circulated U.S. newspapers reported on nutrition, physical activity and obesity during 2008. Research questions aimed to identify article topics and investigate characteristics of the news coverage. Cluster variables were created to examine: (1) article prominence, (2) the accuracy of how research was covered, (3) the quality, or comprehensiveness of reporting, and (4) whether positive or negative bias was present.;Media content analysis was the research method used. A scale for each construct was created from relevant variables to produce a total score for each. After a database keyword search, the entire sample of news articles (N= 615) were coded for topics covered. A sub-sample ( n=503) of articles that focused on one specific research study, News Reports (NRs; n=161), and articles that focused on a topic, News Features (NFs; n=342), were coded using a content-analysis instrument. Descriptive and inferential statistics were conducted.;The majority of articles covered nutrition (49.8%), followed by physical activity (27.8%) and obesity (20.7%). More specifically, food & nutrients were most frequently covered (12.5%), followed by workouts (11.5%), disease (10.7%), diet plans (8.9%), and supplements (8.5%). NRs were significantly less prominent than NFs (1.63 vs. 2.96 in a 6.0 point score). NRs were mostly accurate (10.49 in a 13.0 point score). However, identifiable errors were found (11.3%), with NFs in one paper having 22.7%. NFs had significantly higher quality scores than NRs (3.31 vs. 2.59 in a 5.0 score). Overall, articles were objective. NRs showed significantly less bias than NFs (0.79 vs 1.02 in a 5.0 score). Understanding which topics are highlighted and how they are reported may help educators shape future interventions, and may help health journalists improve reporting standards when covering nutrition, physical activity and obesity. |
