Qualitative content analysis of online news media coverage of weight loss surgery and related reader comments

Attitudes of primary care physicians toward bariatric surgery: a free word association networks analysis

BACKGROUND

Primary care physicians (PCPs) hold major responsibility in referring patients with obesity eligible for bariatric surgery (BS).

OBJECTIVE

The aim was to explore PCPs' mental representation of BS in order to identify barriers and catalysts of BS referral practices.

SETTING

Switzerland.

METHODS

A total of 3526 PCPs were invited to participate in an online survey. PCPs were asked to write the first 5 words that came to their mind about the term "bariatric surgery." Additionally, they had to pick 2 emotions that best described each provided association. Demographic data and obesity-related referral patterns were collected. Mental representation network was constructed based on co-occurrence of associations, using validated data-driven methodology.

RESULTS

In all, 216 PCPs completed the study (response rate: 6.13%). Respondents were aged 55 ± 9.8 years, had an equal sex distribution, and practiced mainly in urban settings. Three mental representations of BS emerged: indication-focused (most frequent associations: "obesity," "diabetes"), treatment-focused ("gastric bypass," "weight loss"), and outcome-focused ("complications," "challenging follow-up"). The emotional label "interested" was used significantly more frequently in the treatment-focused group. Comparison of PCPs among mental modules showed that those with a treatment-focused mindset referred patients for BS most frequently and were significantly more willing to follow up with postbariatric patients (χ2 = 17.8, P = .022).

CONCLUSIONS

PCPs think about BS along 3 mental representations, and the treatment-focused attitude was coupled with the highest willingness to refer eligible patients for BS. Confidence in performing postbariatric follow-up was identified as catalyst of BS referral. Access to optimal care for patients with obesity may be improved accordingly.

Public Understanding of Childhood Obesity: Qualitative Analysis of News Articles and Comments on Facebook

Childhood obesity has become a major focus of public health and subject to increased news coverage. News can shape public understanding of childhood obesity by selective reporting (framing) which can affect policy support and weight stigma. As news is consumed on social media, comments on articles present a novel method to explore public understanding. This study examined how childhood obesity is framed by news articles on Facebook and how individuals commenting understand and react to these articles. This study used a qualitative research design. Facebook pages of 11 national UK news outlets were searched for news articles on childhood obesity published between May 2015 and May 2020. Of those, 30 articles were randomly selected. Framing analysis was used to determine whether childhood obesity was portrayed as a behavioral, societal or medical issue. Responding comments (N = 1,104) were grouped according to the dominant frame of the corresponding article and analyzed using qualitative content analysis. Of the 30 articles, 28 mentioned societal, 26 behavioral and 18 medical aspects of childhood obesity, highlighting that most articles included more than one frame. Three themes were generated from responding comments: Culprits and Remedies, Appraising Childhood Obesity and Making Sense of the News Article. Findings showed that comments related to Appraising Childhood Obesity differed between differently framed articles, while the other themes did not. This study highlights the need for improved communication on childhood obesity to address weight stigma and improve understanding of news articles.

'The filthy people': Racism in digital spaces during Covid-19 in the context of South-South migration

Notions of 'race' and disease are deeply imbricated across the globe. This article explores the historical, complex entanglements between 'race', disease, and dirtiness in the multicultural Chilean context of Covid-19. We conducted a quantitative content analysis and a discourse analysis of online readers' comments (n = 1233) in a digital news platform surrounding a controversial news event to examine Chileans' cultural representations of Haitian migrants and explore online racism and anti-immigrant discourse. Drawing on a decolonial approach, we argue that Covid-19 as a crisis has been fabricated at the expense of a constructed 'other'. We show how colonial racist logics not only endure in digital spaces, but are made viral in new ways by representing Haitian migrants as 'filthy' and 'disease carriers'. We identified two contemporary forms of racism - online cultural racism and online aggressive racism - through which people construct imaginaries of racial superiority in digital spaces.

Influence and effects of weight stigmatisation in media: A systematic

BACKGROUND

The lack of a comprehensive understanding of the role of mass media in perpetuating weight stigma hinders policy formulation. We reviewed the influence of mass media on weight stigmatisation and the effectiveness of media-based interventions designed to prevent or reduce stigma.

METHODS

We conducted a systematic review across seven databases from inception to December 2021. Included studies assessed exposure to or impact of weight stigma in mass media or examined interventions to reduce stigma through media in populations 12+ years. We synthesised data narratively, categorising studies based on similarity in focus to produce a set of integrated findings. The systematic review is registered in PROSPERO (No. CRD42020176306).

FINDINGS

One-hundred-and-thirteen records were eligible for inclusion from 2402 identified; 95 examined the prevalence of stigmatising content in mass media and its impact on stigma. Weight stigma was prevalent across media types, with the dominant discourse viewing overweight and obesity as an individual responsibility and overlooking systemic factors. Exposure to stigmatising content was found to negatively influence attitudes towards people with overweight or obesity. Few studies considered methods of reducing stigma in the media, with only two testing media-based interventions; their results were promising but limited.

INTERPRETATION

Weight stigma in media content is prevalent and harmful, but there is little guidance on reducing it. Future research focus needs to shift from assessing prevalence and impacts to weight stigma interventions.

FUNDING

None.

"Drinkers Like Me": A Thematic Analysis of Comments Responding to an Online Article About Moderating Alcohol Consumption

Background

There has been media coverage surrounding the dangers of heavy drinking and benefits of moderation, with TV and radio presenter, Adrian Chiles, documenting his experience of moderating alcohol consumption in an online article for the Guardian. By analysing the comments in response to Chiles' article, this study aimed to explore (i) posters' (someone who has posted a comment in response to the article) attitudes or beliefs toward moderating alcohol and (ii) posters' experiences of moderating or abstaining from alcohol.

Method

A secondary qualitative analysis of online comments in response to an article about moderating alcohol consumption. Main outcome measures: Comments (n = 784) in response to a United Kingdom online news article about moderating alcohol consumption were extracted and inductive thematic analysis was used.

Results

For aim one, two themes were developed; "general attitudes toward drinking" and "general attitudes toward reducing consumption". These themes reflect negative perceptions of alcohol and issues around changing attitudes. For aim two, three themes were developed: "moderation vs. abstention", "reflection on past drinking behaviours", and "current drinking behaviours". These themes represent posters' experiences and implications changing their drinking habits.

Conclusion

Our analysis provides a novel insight into perceptions and experiences of moderating or abstaining from alcohol. Alcohol is embedded within United Kingdom culture, creating difficulties for those who choose to moderate or abstain from alcohol. Our analysis highlights the need for public health to focus on shifting the current drinking culture, through clearer drinking guidelines and a wider availability of alcohol-free alternatives.

A Qualitative Content Analysis of Cardiovascular Diseases Related Health Information Targeted at the Hui Minority on Chinese WeChat Official Accounts

In this study, we focus on the information available in WeChat official accounts about cardiovascular diseases (CVDs), which are a leading cause of death in China. We are particularly interested in information targeting the Chinese Hui minority people, who have a high prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors (CVRFs). Our exploratory research therefore investigates whether and how the articles on WeChat official accounts are targeted at the Hui people. We used a qualitative approach to analyze 108 articles. Two related themes emerged: descriptions of how to live a healthy life; and explanations of CVDs and CVRFs. Traditional Chinese medicine likewise surfaced from the analysis as a specific and unique theme in the Chinese social and cultural context. Despite the high prevalence of CVRFs among the Hui, none of the articles included information tailored to them.

Perspectives on Fruit and Vegetable Consumption and Government Dietary Guidelines: Content Analysis of Comments on News Websites

BACKGROUND

News websites are an essential source of medical news for the public. Many websites offer users the opportunity to leave comments, which may provide rich insights into public perspectives on health issues. With an established role in public health, fruit and vegetable (FV) consumption is central to the government's dietary guidelines. However, FV intake continues to fall short of government recommendations.

OBJECTIVE

Using comments from news websites, this study aims to explore public perspectives on FV intake and related government dietary guidelines.

METHODS

Data comprised 2696 web user comments generated in response to substantial media coverage for a meta-analysis examining FV consumption and the risk of all-cause mortality, cardiovascular disease, and total cancer. Using an inductive thematic approach, the data were analyzed and coded in an iterative process.

RESULTS

Four overarching themes emerged: personal factors, rejection, lack of knowledge, and food landscape, each with component subthemes. The lack of clarity around government dietary health guidelines was apparent, and this, along with emergent personal factors, may hinder better consumption. Rejection was also evident, as was a quality versus quantity of life debate.

CONCLUSIONS

There are gaps in the public's understanding of government guidelines, which may act as a constraint to better compliance. Further work should examine this issue and rejection and the possibility of public fatigue related to dietary health information and news. Similarly, future work should also explore targeted interventions with a specific emphasis on health literacy.

Health Information Related to Cardiovascular Diseases Broadcast on Chinese Television Health Programs

This study aims to add to the knowledge about information depicted in television health programs in China. Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are the leading cause of death in the country. The threat it poses is particularly notable among the Hui ethnic minority people, who have a higher prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors. Little research has been conducted thus far on content concerning CVDs in Chinese television health programs, and this study aims to fill this lacuna. Qualitative content analysis was conducted to analyze The Doctor Is In and Health Body Light. The results revealed that these two programs presented information about what CVDs and CVRFs are, how the former are treated, and what strategies are used to communicate health information. A new topic also stood out: discussions on how traditional Chinese medicine prevents and cures these diseases.

"Does Pakistan still have polio cases?": Exploring discussions on polio and polio vaccine in online news comments in Pakistan

INTRODUCTION

Polio, which is caused by poliovirus, is a contagious, potentially crippling, and deadly disease. Pakistan is one of the countries in which polio is still endemic in the 21st century. In 2019, 146 polio cases were reported across the country with some resulting in deaths. Following the spread of rumors insinuating that children were falling sick after receiving an anti-polio vaccine, a mob attacked and set fire to a small hospital in the Peshawar district in April 2019. The present study investigates readers' discussions that emerged from Dawn's online readers' comments on polio-related news stories in Pakistan.

METHODS

Using thematic analysis, we analyzed (N = 2216) comments made by readers in the polio-related news stories published on Dawn.com from January 1, 2012, to March 1, 2020.

RESULTS

Seven major themes emerged from the analysis of the comments: 1) reasons for and challenges resulting in the failure to eradicate polio; 2) proposed solutions and policy changes to eradicate polio; 3) misinformation; 4) criticism, frustration, and shame; 5) comparison of Pakistan to other countries; 6) the internet as a public sphere; 7) suffering, empathy, and appreciation. Overall, our findings suggested that commenters are knowledgeable about polio vaccines and consider polio a serious threat to public health in Pakistan.

CONCLUSION

Our study not only validated previous study findings such as reasons, challenges, and issues related to polio vaccination, but also found new challenges in online news sites concerning misinformation on polio and polio vaccination in Pakistan.

Digital Disinformation About COVID-19 and the Third-Person Effect: Examining the Channel Differences and Negative Emotional Outcomes

Expanding third-person effect (TPE) research to digital disinformation, this article investigates the impact of COVID-19 digital fake news exposure on individuals' perceived susceptibility of influence on themselves, their close others, and their distant others. Findings from a survey of 511 Chinese respondents suggest that, overall, individuals would perceive themselves to be less vulnerable than close others and distant others to the impact of COVID-19 digital disinformation. The highest self-other perceptual discrepancy is found when individuals receive disinformation on mobile social networking apps. Also, individuals who practice more active fact-checking perceive themselves to be less susceptible. The perception of disinformation effects on self as well as the self-other perceptual discrepancy is both positively related to emotional responses (anxiety, fear, and worry) to the COVID-19 pandemic. This study contributes to existing research by linking exposure to disinformation in different digital channels, the TPEs, and emotional outcomes in the context of a public health crisis. It also highlights the importance of educating and enabling fact-checking behaviors on digital media, which could help to reduce negative emotional impact of the disinformation.

News media stories about cancer on Facebook: How does story framing influence response framing, tone and attributions of responsibility?

This content analysis explored associations between the framing of cancer-related health news stories on Facebook and their corresponding comments. It was found that regardless of story framing the majority of responses involved users engaging in debate and discussion rather than sharing personal experiences. Furthermore, stories framed episodically had a greater proportion of both supportive and unsupportive comments than stories framed thematically. As predicted, episodic stories were associated with more attributions of responsibility directed towards the individual whereas thematic stories lead to more societal-level attributions of blame. Contrary to predictions, responses did not contribute towards the stigmatisation of lung cancer, instead more responses were aimed at reducing stigma for this illness. Within the findings strong beliefs about cancer treatment and management were also identified, which raises concern over the spread of misinformation. Overall, this research provided insight into the framing of cancer news and highlighted potential implications of Facebook comments.

Mining news media for understanding public health concerns

INTRODUCTION

News media play an important role in raising public awareness, framing public opinions, affecting policy formulation, and acknowledgment of public health issues. Traditional qualitative content analysis for news sentiments and focuses are time-consuming and may not efficiently convey sentiments nor the focuses of news media.

METHODS

We used descriptive statistics and state-of-art text mining to conduct sentiment analysis and topic modeling, to efficiently analyze over 3 million Reuters news articles during 2007-2017 for identifying their coverage, sentiments, and focuses for public health issues. Based on the top keywords from public health scientific journals, we identified 10 major public health issues (i.e., "air pollution," "alcohol drinking," "asthma," "depression," "diet," "exercise," "obesity," "pregnancy," "sexual behavior," and "smoking").

RESULTS

The news coverage for seven public health issues, "Smoking," "Exercise," "Alcohol drinking," "Diet," "Obesity," "Depression," and "Asthma" decreased over time. The news coverage for "Sexual behavior," "Pregnancy," and "Air pollution" fluctuated during 2007-2017. The sentiments of the news articles for three of the public health issues, "exercise," "alcohol drinking," and "diet" were predominately positive and associated such as "energy." Sentiments for the remaining seven public health issues were mainly negative, linked to negative terms, e.g., diseases. The results of topic modeling reflected the media's focus on public health issues.

CONCLUSIONS

Text mining methods may address the limitations of traditional qualitative approaches. Using big data to understand public health needs is a novel approach that could help clinical and translational science awards programs focus on community-engaged research efforts to address community priorities.

Health Care Apps Reported in Newspapers: Content Analysis

BACKGROUND

Newspapers are considered one of the most viewed and influential media sources in both the United Kingdom and United States. However, information about how newspapers portray health care apps to the readers has been lacking.

OBJECTIVE

This study investigated the reporting on health care apps in newspapers published in the United Kingdom and United States.

METHODS

The Nexis UK database was used to identify and select relevant articles. Systematic content analysis of the articles that met the inclusion criteria (articles of any format that contained reference to health care apps or medical apps) within the highest circulated newspapers in the United Kingdom and United States over a period of 10 years (2006-2015) was conducted. Interrater reliability of coding was established using a 10% sample of the chosen articles.

RESULTS

A total of 220 (151 UK and 69 US) relevant newspaper articles were retrieved. Health care apps were most frequently reported on in the Daily Mail and The Guardian (UK newspapers) and in the New York Times and the Washington Post (US newspapers). An exponential rise in published scientific articles (PubMed) on health care-related apps was noted during the study period. A total of 26.4% (58/220) and 19.1% (42/220) of the retrieved newspaper articles appeared in the features and main news sections, respectively. General information about health care apps was the main theme coved by the newspapers (45.9%, 101/220). Most of the articles represented a societal point of view (72.3%, 159/220). The main focus of the articles was on general health matters (48.2%, 106/220) and specific disease matters (36.8%, 81/220). Diabetes was the most frequently mentioned disease in the articles. A high proportion (91.4%, 201/220) of the articles mentioned benefits of using health care apps mainly for personalized care, whereas 24.1% (53/220) of the articles commented on related risks such as anxiety and confidentiality issues. Almost half (45.9%, 101/220) of the articles mentioned potential facilitators to the use of apps; less than 10% (16/220) discussed barriers. Most of the articles (83.6%, 184/220) were judged as having balanced judgment on the present topic and more than half (60.0%, 132/220) of the articles were judged to be of generally low quality.

CONCLUSIONS

Health care apps were not widely reported in newspaper articles in the United Kingdom and United States over the study period; however, there appeared to be much more recent interest. Characteristically, the articles focused more frequently on societal impact and on general health rather than on disease-specific apps.

Changes in Attitudes Towards Bariatric Surgery After 5 Years in the German General Public

PURPOSE

The aim of this study was to investigate changes in attitudes of the general public towards bariatric surgery and other interventions that can be part of obesity management, during the last 5 years.

METHOD

1007 participants were randomly selected and interviewed. Apart from socio-demographic data, interviews also included causal reasons for obesity as well as questions regarding treatment methods and their believed effectiveness. Results were compared with data published 5 years ago.

RESULTS

Surgery is seen as a rather ineffective method to reduce weight in obesity and is recommended less often by the general public compared to the assessment 5 years ago.

CONCLUSIONS

Public health-implications should inform about obesity and benefits of surgery as an intervention to improve individual health conditions.

A critical analysis of obesity prevention policies and strategies

OBJECTIVES

Public health policies have been criticized for promoting a simplistic narrative that may contribute to weight bias. Weight bias can impact population health by increasing morbidity and mortality. The objectives of this study were to: 1 ) critically analyze Canadian obesity prevention policies and strategies to identify underlying dominant narratives; 2) deconstruct dominant narratives and consider the unintended consequences for people with obesity; and 3) make recommendations to change dominant obesity narratives that may be contributing to weight bias.

METHODS

We applied Bacchi's "what's-the-problem-represented-to-be?" (WPR) approach to 15 obesity prevention policies and strategies (1 national, 2 territorial and 12 provincial). Bacchi's WPR approach is composed of six analytical questions designed to identify conceptual assumptions as well as possible effects of policies.

RESULTS

We identified five prevailing narratives that may have implications for public health approaches and unintended consequences for people with obesity: 1 ) childhood obesity threatens the health of future generations and must be prevented; 2) obesity can be prevented through healthy eating and physical activity; 3) obesity is an individual behaviour problem; 4) achieving a healthy body weight should be a population health target; and 5) obesity is a risk factor for other chronic diseases, not a disease in itself.

CONCLUSION

The consistent way in which obesity is constructed in Canadian policies and strategies may be contributing to weight bias in our society. We provide some recommendations for changing these narratives to prevent further weight bias and obesity stigma.

Stigmatic and Sympathetic Attitudes Toward Cancer Patients Who Smoke: A Qualitative Analysis of an Online Discussion Board Forum

INTRODUCTION

A significant minority of patients continue to smoke after a cancer diagnosis. Cancer patients who smoke experience stigma that can negatively impact health outcomes. We explored publicly shared perspectives about cancer patients who continued to smoke post-diagnosis.

METHODS

An online news article, published in January 2012, summarized the findings of smoking prevalence among patients with lung cancer and colorectal cancer enrolled in the Cancer Care Outcomes Research and Surveillance Consortium trial. In response, written comments were posted on the articles' public discussion board. Applying principles of grounded theory, we conducted a document analysis and established a conceptual framework to develop a model by which to explain factors underlying stigmatic and sympathetic attitudes toward cancer survivors who continue to smoke.

RESULTS

Personal experiences with cancer, smoking, and statistical literacy were found to influence beliefs about cancer and smoking, which in turn influenced stigmatic or sympathetic attitudes. More sympathetic attitudes were expressed by individuals who had personal experiences with smoking, believed cancer is multicausal, identified smoking as an addiction, or considered extrinsic factors responsible for smoking. Individuals who did not have personal experiences with cancer or smoking, had low statistical literacy, believed that smoking necessarily and directly causes cancer, and focused on intrinsic responsibilities for smoking tended to express more stigmatic attitudes.

CONCLUSIONS

The current findings raise awareness and provide insight into stigma against cancer survivors who smoke and can help inform strategies for reducing stigma against this vulnerable group.

IMPLICATIONS

This study helps raise awareness of stigma toward cancer patients who smoke and provides insight into the processes that may influence stigmatic as compared to sympathetic attitudes toward these patients. Results suggest that population-based strategies to educate the public regarding the nature of nicotine addiction, difficulty of quitting, and benefits of quitting for cancer patients may be useful for reducing stigma against cancer patients with a smoking history.

Negotiating options in weight-loss surgery : "Actually I didn't have any other option"

In this study we explore how a selection of Norwegian women account for their decision to undergo weight loss surgery (WLS). We argue that women's descriptions of their experiences leading up to this choice of action illuminate issues regarding social norms of bodily appearance and personal responsibility. The starting point is women's own experiences within a cultural context in which opting for WLS often attracts moral scrutiny. Inspired by Merleau-Ponty's notion of consciousness as embodied and de Beauvoir's ideas concerning women's situation, we argue that bodily as well as socio-cultural aspects intertwine with women's choice of surgery as a means of losing weight. Although society's stigmatization of women with obesity has been well challenged by scholars in the field of critical fat studies, women with obesity still experience the bodily hindrances associated with being overweight in an intense and subjective way. The findings suggest that women confronting the option of WLS do so in a context of pain, dysfunction and social stigma, a combination which illuminates the intricate ambiguity of the obese body as both subject (of agency) and object (of moral and medical scrutiny).

The experience of regaining weight following weight loss surgery: A narrative-phenomenological exploration

Weight loss surgery (WLS) is gaining ground as the most effective treatment against obesity. In the literature, however, we see a divide among individuals who have undergone WLS based on the amount of weight lost and maintained: successful and unsuccessful patients. In this article, we focus on the notion of unsuccessful patients-exploring the accounts of three women who have regained weight following WLS. In doing so, we endeavor to better understand how weight regain has meaning, and its impact and implications for the lives of individuals who undergo WLS. The findings reveal how weight-regain stories are easily silenced, buried beneath social, cultural, and institutional/medical narratives of successful weight loss and transformation. People who have such experiences may feel reticent to reveal them and in doing so increase their own suffering, therefore leaving the popular narratives unchallenged.

Becoming a normal guy: Men making sense of long-term bodily changes following bariatric surgery

Background

To date, research on bodily changes following bariatric surgery has focused predominantly on women, leaving the long-term experience of men relatively unexplored. In this paper, we draw on interviews with men who have undergone an irreversible gastric bypass procedure to explore their bodily changes more than 4 years post-surgery. We apply a phenomenological framework that draws on Leder's perspectives on the “disappearing” and “dys-appearing” body, combined with a gender-sensitive lens that draws on Connell's theory of hegemonic masculinity and Robertson's conceptions of embodied masculinity.

Findings

Our principal finding was that the men negotiated their bodily changes following bariatric surgery in profoundly ambivalent ways. Although they enthusiastically praised the surgery for improving their health, self-esteem, and social functioning, they also emphasized their efforts to cope with post-surgical side effects and life-threatening complications. Our analysis elaborates on their efforts to adjust to and come to terms with these changes, focusing on episodes of hypoglycemia, severe pain and internal herniation, and the significance of physical activity and exercise.

Conclusions

Our findings point to the need to acknowledge men's ways of making sense of profound and ongoing bodily changes following bariatric surgery and how these negotiations are closely intertwined with masculine ideals of embodiment and social value.

Exploring women's responses to online media coverage of weight loss surgery

The purpose of this study was to understand the reactions of women to online news articles about weight loss surgery and related reader comments. Focus groups were conducted; open-ended questions were asked to elicit responses to existing online news media content related to weight loss surgery. The participants described the online articles as predominantly supportive of weight loss surgery and in response they expressed a desire to see more critical content, including different and competing perspectives. Participants felt the online comments represented extreme perspectives and were predominately negative. These were therefore not viewed as helpful or informative. Nevertheless, readers viewed comments as a form of entertainment. Because of the aggressive and anonymous nature of reader comments in response to online news stories, the participants did not feel comfortable leaving comments themselves on the news sites. Findings highlight the importance of gathering readers' perspectives in response to interactive media content and, in particular, health information.

Happily-ever-after: Personal narratives in weight-loss surgery advertising

Advertising for weight loss surgery (WLS) is typically but not exclusively targeted toward women. The surgery is portrayed as the most effective way to free oneself from the stigmas and health risks associated with large bodies. WLS clinics routinely feature success stories by former patients that include before and after pictures and personal narratives. Because these testimonials are cherry-picked by the clinics, naturally they do not represent the full spectrum of postsurgical patient experiences, yet they are likely to influence the decision making of prospective patients. Our findings show that these success stories do not offer adequate information to prospective patients about what to expect after the surgery. In particular, the success stories tend to speak of side-effects as self-inflicted, thus reinforcing the healthist cultural/medical message of individual responsibility that is driving the current WLS epidemic.

Is the future of meat palatable? Perceptions of in vitro meat as evidenced by online news comments

OBJECTIVE

To understand current public perceptions of in vitro meat (IVM) in light of its potential to be a more environmentally sustainable alternative to conventional meat.

DESIGN

A qualitative content analysis of the comments made on online news articles highlighting the development of IVM and the world's first IVM hamburger in August 2013.

SETTING

News article comment sections across seven US-based online news sources (The New York Times, The Los Angeles Times, The Washington Post, The Wall Street Journal, USA Today, Cable News Network and National Public Radio).

SUBJECTS

Four hundred and sixty-two commenters who made eight hundred and fourteen publicly available online comments addressing IVM.

RESULTS

Key themes in commenter perceptions of IVM included environmental and public health benefits, but also negative themes such as IVM's status as an unnatural and unappealing food. Overall, the tone of comments was more negative than positive.

CONCLUSIONS

Findings suggest that while the environmental and public health motivations for developing and in turn consuming IVM resonate with some segments of the population, others find that reasoning both uncompelling and problematic. Concerns about IVM as an unnatural and risky product also appear to be a significant barrier to public acceptance of IVM. Supporters of IVM may wish to begin to develop a regulatory strategy for IVM to build public trust and explore messaging strategies that cast IVM as a new technology with benefits to individuals rather than primarily a solution to global challenges. Those in the public health nutrition field can make an important contribution to the emerging public discussion about IVM.