Abstract
News reporting, in channels such as broadcast and print media, on obesity as an issue has increased dramatically in the last decade. A qualitative study, in which we used in-depth interviews and thematic analysis, was undertaken to explore 142 obese individuals’ perceptions of, and responses to, news reporting about obesity. Participants believed that news reporting on obesity focused on personal responsibility and blame, and portrayed obese people as “freaks.” They described being portrayed as “enemies” of society who were rarely given a voice or identity in such news coverage unless they were seen to be succeeding at weight loss. They were also critical of the simplistic coverage of obesity, which was in contrast with their personal experiences of obesity as complex and difficult to address. Participants believed that obesity news reporting added to the discrimination they experienced. We consider how this news reporting may act as a form of “synoptical” social control, working in tandem with wider public health panoptical surveillance of obesity.
Highlights
The news media plays an important role in the transfer of culture and social norms and values throughout society (Robertson, 1987; Schiffman, Bednall, O’Cass, Paladino, & Kanuk, 2005) and can be influential in setting the wider social agenda around an issue (McCombs, 2004)
We suggest that the panopticon and synopticon are useful concepts for understanding how obesity is portrayed in the media and the impacts this can have on obese people
We provide a summary of the demographic characteristics and weight of the sample, and present the findings according to the main themes which emerged from the analysis as follows: simplistic and inaccurate reporting that blames and shames; weight loss success stories; freaks and enemies; the absence of obese voices; the absence of identity; and limited news consumption
Summary
The news media plays an important role in the transfer of culture and social norms and values throughout society (Robertson, 1987; Schiffman, Bednall, O’Cass, Paladino, & Kanuk, 2005) and can be influential in setting the wider social agenda around an issue (McCombs, 2004). The news media can highlight certain aspects of an issue and marginalize others, defining an issue from a certain perspective with causes, solutions, and blame; and plays a role in social control (Conrad & Schneider, 1980). It can influence how individuals and policy makers respond to an issue (Bonfiglioli, Smith, King, Chapman, & Holding, 2007; Chapman et al, 2009; Evans, Renaud, & Kamerow, 2006). Scientific and health and medical issues, they disseminate knowledge and information to the general public. They inform, entertain, and shape cultural tastes and trends and opinions (Campbell, Martin, & Fabos, 2010)
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