Abstract
Purpose: In two related studies, we examined how equity-based arguments featured in news debate over federal school nutrition policy.Methods: We conducted content analyses of national and local print and broadcast news (September 1, 2014–December 31, 2015), examining arguments rooted in appeals about equity and/or disparities.Results: Equity and/or disparities appeals appeared in 24% television, 14% national print, and 5% local print stories. Socioeconomic inequities were mentioned most; racial/ethnic inequities appeared minimally.Conclusions: Neither equity nor disparity featured prominently in this news debate over policy created to address children's nutritional inequities. When included, arguments focused on overcoming inequities' effects rather than addressing root causes.
Highlights
In two related studies, we examined how equity-based arguments featured in news debate over federal school nutrition policy
We found Healthy Hunger-Free Kids Act (HHFKA) discussed in terms of equity or disparity arguments in 24% of TV, 14% of national print, and 5% of local print news stories
Each study illuminated the fact that the equity argument was largely missing from debate around HFFKA
Summary
We examined how equity-based arguments featured in news debate over federal school nutrition policy. Methods: We conducted content analyses of national and local print and broadcast news (September 1, 2014– December 31, 2015), examining arguments rooted in appeals about equity and/or disparities. In 2010, these policies were reconceptualized as the Healthy Hunger-Free Kids Act (HHFKA), including both expanded food access standards and more stringent guidelines to increase the nutritional content of foods sold in the nation’s nearly 100,000 public schools. We asked whether the equity-promoting intent of the policy was reflected in news coverage of HHFKA during the highly controversial period of pending reauthorization.[4,5] This is important, because a policy debate a Liana B.
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