Exploring news media representations of women’s exercise and subjectivity through critical discourse analysis

Abstract

Despite the importance of media work from a critical perspective being established, much is to be learned about how women’s exercise is (re)presented within news media discourses and the implications for women’s health promotion. Health promotion researchers need to further consider the media environment in which health-related meanings are constructed and compete. Building on media research from a critical perspective, the current paper used critical discourse analysis to explore the construction of exercise narratives in 40 stories within a ‘women’s health’ section of a Midwestern US newspaper. Analysis of this media feature offers researchers the opportunity to explore taken for granted assumptions and prevailing meanings about women’s exercise and health and the implications for self and subjectivity. Two primary discourses were identified: a discourse of exercise and appearance and a discourse of consumerism. Subject positions identified included: the unfit woman, the ignorant/irrational woman, the expert and the responsible consumer. The implications for women’s health and exercise promotion are discussed in light of these findings.