News coverage influences how the public and policymakers interpret and respond to social issues. To advocate effectively for policies that will improve childhood nutrition, advocates must understand the public conversation regarding nutrition policy and how nutrition is framed in the news.
Method: A quantitative and qualitative content analysis of articles covering policies related to childhood nutrition, school lunches/breakfasts, obesity prevention, pouring contracts, fast food, etc. published from July 1998-August 2000 in major California newspapers. Substantive articles on nutrition policy were coded in depth.
Findings: Of 2000 articles found, only 88 were substantive discussions of food or nutrition policy. Of these, the largest single topic (14% of the sample) was advice for parents (e.g., what to pack in kids’ lunch boxes and how to please finicky eaters). Key policy issues — fast food in schools, new dietary/BMI recommendations, pouring contracts, hunger or child care food programs — accounted for 6% or less of the sample. Food policy advocates were the most commonly quoted sources in stories, but they tended to frame the issue from a personal responsibility point of view.
Implications: While there is little news on nutrition policies, what exists is substantive and well placed. Despite advocates’ success gaining access to the news for some nutrition stories, an individual responsibility frame dominates. Nutrition advocates are themselves helping to reinforce the "downstream" response to nutrition problems. Advocates must work harder to pitch stories about policies that could improve health, and must be able to describe solutions beyond individual efforts.
Learning Objectives: By the end of the session, participants will understand how news coverage of child nutrition policies may undermine or support advocacy efforts. They will be able to identify gaps in coverage of nutrition and food policy, and be prepared to discuss implications for efforts to advance food and nutrition policy through the news media.
Keywords: Nutrition, Media
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.