Abstract
BackgroundThe dietary content of advice in men’s lifestyle magazines has not been closely scrutinised.MethodsWe carried out an analysis of such content in all 2009 issues (n = 11) of Men’s Health (MH) focusing on muscularity, leanness and weight control.ResultsPromotion of a mesomorphic body image underpinned advice to affect muscle building and control weight. Diet advice was underpinned by a strong pseudo-scientific discourse, with citation of expert sources widely used to legitimise the information. Frequently multiple dietary components were advocated within one article e.g. fat, omega-3 fatty acids, thiamine, zinc and high-glycaemic index foods. Furthermore advice would cover numerous nutritional effects, e.g. strengthening bones, reducing stress and boosting testosterone, with little contextualisation. The emphasis on attainment of a mesomorphic body image permitted promotion of slimming diets.Advice to increase calorie and protein intake to augment muscle mass was frequent (183 and 262 references, respectively). Such an anabolic diet was advised in various ways, including consumption of traditional protein foods (217 references) and sports foods (107 references), thereby replicating muscle magazines’ support for nutritional supplements. Although advice to increase consumption of red meat was common (52 references), fish and non-flesh sources of protein (eggs, nuts & pulses, and soy products) together exceeded red meat in number of recommendations (206 references). Advice widely asserted micronutrients and phytochemicals from plant food (161 references) as being important in muscle building. This emphasis diverges from stereotypical gender-based food consumption patterns.Dietary advice for control of body weight largely replicated that of muscularity, with strong endorsement to consume fruits and vegetables (59 references), diets rich in nuts and pulses and fish (66 references), as well as specific micronutrients and phytochemicals (62 references). Notably there was emphasis on fat-burning, good fats and consumption of single foods, with relatively little mention of dietary restriction.ConclusionsDespite the widespread use of scientific information to endorse dietary advice, the content, format and scientific basis of dietary content of MH leaves much to be desired. The dietary advice as provided may not be conducive to public health.
Highlights
The dietary content of advice in men’s lifestyle magazines has not been closely scrutinised
Content was heavily weighted towards dietary advice for muscularity & leanness ends, with lesser emphasis on body weight control
The format of advice There were at least two dedicated diet features per issue: Personal Trainer, which advised on diet in relation to a prescribed work-out, and Core Nutrition which focused on nutritional advice for muscle building
Summary
The dietary content of advice in men’s lifestyle magazines has not been closely scrutinised. The print media has an acknowledged role as a communicator of food and nutrition-centred advice and information [1]. There has been much research attention as to the nature and construction of information about food, dieting, nutrition and health in women’s magazines [3,5,6,7]. It has been observed that contemporary lifestyle magazines for men include such topics as cooking, health and well-being [8] there has been little coherent study of these food and health messages. The media has responded by creating magazines that address traditional masculine ideals of power, money and physical fitness, and advise on all manners of consumerism, health and wellbeing [14]
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