Comparison of Calcium and Weight Loss Information in Teen-Focused versus Women's Magazines over Two 4-Year Periods (1986–1989 and 1991–1994)

Temporality in British young women's magazines: food, cooking and weight loss

OBJECTIVE

The present study examines seasonal and temporal patterns in food-related content of two UK magazines for young women focusing on food types, cooking and weight loss.

DESIGN

Content analysis of magazines from three time blocks between 1999 and 2011.

SETTING

Desk-based study.

SUBJECTS

Ninety-seven magazines yielding 590 advertisements and 148 articles.

RESULTS

Cluster analysis of type of food advertising produced three clusters of magazines, which reflected recognised food behaviours of young women: vegetarianism, convenience eating and weight control. The first cluster of magazines was associated with Christmas and Millennium time periods, with advertising of alcohol, coffee, cheese, vegetarian meat substitutes and weight-loss pills. Recipes were prominent in article content and tended to be for cakes/desserts, luxury meals and party food. The second cluster was associated with summer months and 2010 issues. There was little advertising for conventional foods in cluster 2, but strong representation of diet plans and foods for weight loss. Weight-loss messages in articles focused on short-term aesthetic goals, emphasising speedy weight loss without giving up nice foods or exercising. Cluster 3 magazines were associated with post-New Year and 2005 periods. Food advertising was for everyday foods and convenience products, with fewer weight-loss products than other clusters; conversely, article content had a greater prevalence of weight-loss messages.

CONCLUSIONS

The cyclical nature of magazine content - indulgence and excess encouraged at Christmas, restraint recommended post-New Year and severe dieting advocated in the summer months - endorses yo-yo dieting behaviour and may not be conducive to public health.

Calcium, Vitamin D, Iron, and Folate Messages in Three Canadian Magazines

PURPOSE

Data from the Canadian Community Health Survey showed that calcium, vitamin D, iron, and folate are nutrients of concern for females 19-50 years of age. The study objectives were to assess the quantity, format, and accuracy of messages related to these nutrients in selected Canadian magazines and to examine their congruency with Canadian nutrition policies.

METHODS

Using content analysis methodology, messages were coded using a stratified sample of a constructed year for Canadian Living, Chatelaine, and Homemakers magazines (n = 33) from 2003-2008. Pilot research was conducted to assess inter-coder agreement and to develop the study coding sheet and codebook.

RESULTS

The messages identified (n = 595) averaged 18 messages per magazine issue. The most messages were found for calcium, followed by folate, iron, and vitamin D, and the messages were found primarily in articles (46%) and advertisements (37%). Overall, most messages were coded as accurate (82%) and congruent with Canadian nutrition policies (90%).

CONCLUSIONS

This research demonstrated that the majority of messages in 3 Canadian magazines between 2003 and 2008 were accurate and reflected Canadian nutrition policies. Because Canadian women continue to receive much nutrition information via print media, this research provides important insights for dietitians into media messaging.

Food, nutrition and slimming messages in British women's magazines, 1950-1998

BACKGROUND

The present study examined temporality in the representation of food in two popular British women's magazines between 1950 and 1998.

METHODS

A quantitative content analysis of (i) prevalence of cooking, slimming, nutrition advice in articles; (ii) prevalence of food advertising by food type; and (iii) likelihood of various nutrition and consumer messages in advertising was performed on a sample comprising 200 magazines, with 3045 advertisements and 88 articles.

RESULTS

The prevalence of food advertisements decreased (P < 0.001), whereas food articles increased, across decades (P < 0.001). Cooking tips dominated 1950s food writing (100%), contrasting with miniscule coverage in the 1990s (5%). Slimming advice was not represented in 1950s articles and was most common in 1970s articles (55% of articles). Food advertising for all food types decreased in the 1990s decade. There were greater bread and cereals (P < 0.001), protein foods (P = 0.001) and dairy (P < 0.001) advertising in later decades; advertising for sugar- and fat-rich foods (P < 0.001), condiments and baking ingredients (P < 0.001) and beverages (P < 0.001) was greater in earlier decades. Odds of advertising claims for energy, easy digestion, nourishment, general health, economy, good for family (all P < 0.01), pleased others (P = 0.017) and convenience (P = 0.031) were greater in the 1950s and decreased thereafter. Claims around taste and quality were highest in the 1960s (all P < 0.01). Mineral, additive-free, and protein claims were most likely to be invoked in 1970s advertising (all P < 0.01). Low-fat, low-calorie and fibre claims peaked in the 1980s (all P < 0.01), whereas the odds of specific fat claims was greatest in the 1990s (P = 0.015).

CONCLUSIONS

Representation of food resonated with prevailing food culture but was not always congruent with nutrition policy.

Messages about calcium and weight in Canadian women's magazines

PURPOSE

Osteoporosis affects 1.4 million Canadians. Maximizing bone mass by age 30 may reduce this risk. Because calcium intake and body weight are both associated with bone mass, and many Canadian women report that they obtain nutrition information from magazines, we compared the frequency of calcium and body weight messages in Chatelaine and Flare, Canadian magazines for mature versus younger women, respectively.

METHODS

Using keywords, we identified relevant advertisements and articles in all issues of Chatelaine and Flare for 2000 to 2001. Data were analyzed using paired t-tests and Wilcoxon signed-rank sum tests.

RESULTS

Chatelaine had more calcium and weight messages per 100 pages than did Flare (significant only for calcium, p <or= 0.0001). Within Chatelaine, there were no significant differences between the frequency of calcium and weight messages; however, almost 90% of Flare's messages focused on weight (p <or= 0.0001), with only eight messages in two years addressing calcium.

CONCLUSIONS

Magazines with limited calcium and many weight messages inadvertently promote a lifestyle that may increase the risk for osteoporosis. The opportunity exists to provide improved calcium and osteoporosis coverage for women at the prime age for maximizing bone density. Awareness of information gaps may help dietitians strategize in promoting nutrition messages to women.

Content analysis: review of methods and their applications in nutrition education

Content analysis is a set of qualitative and quantitative methods for collecting and analyzing data from verbal, print, or electronic communication with numerous applications in nutrition education research. Textual information from interviews, focus groups, and open-ended survey questions can be evaluated using content analysis. Selection of method(s) depends on the type(s) and length of material to be analyzed, results desired, and researchers' preferences and technological capabilities. This article reviews options available to content analysts--from manual to fully computerized. Overcoming the challenges inherent in using these methodologies is recommended because of their usefulness in the information-based messaging discipline of nutrition education.

Dietetics majors' weight-reduction beliefs, behaviors, and information sources

One hundred twenty-eight female dietetics majors aspiring to be registered dietitians were surveyed to identify and assess their reasons for wanting to lose weight and the weight-loss techniques and information sources they used and would recommend to clients. Fisher's exact tests were used to analyze behavioral data, and binomial tests to determine whether proportions of students achieving their desired weight-loss outcomes were significantly greater than 50%. Most dieters wanted to lose weight to improve their appearance and increase their self-esteem. Sound weight-loss techniques that were used and recommended include increased exercise, low-fat foods and snacks, and portion control. Accurate information sources used and recommended included food labels and college nutrition courses. Unsound weight-loss techniques and potentially inaccurate information sources were also used and would be recommended by a few students. Findings suggest a need for more learning opportunities focusing on enhancement of self-esteem and weight management.