Choice and voice: obesity debates in television news

Catriona Bonfiglioli, Ben J. Smith, Lesley King, Simon Chapman, Simon Holding

The Medical Journal of Australia · 2007 · 102 citations · 14 references

Abstract

While individual lifestyle is crucial to controlling weight, the research community now recognises the importance of sociocultural and environmental factors as drivers of the obesity epidemic. However, television news portrays obesity largely as an individual problem with individual solutions centred mostly on nutrition. Media emphasis on personal responsibility and diet may detract attention from the sociopolitical and structural changes needed to tackle overweight and obesity at a population level.

References

14