Mass media should be considered as a tool that may influence behaviour of the community. How far mass media, particularly the print media in India is catering the needs of the readers with health and nutrition information? Is the quantity of the health and nutrition information is same or varies between English and regional newspapers? To answer these questions, a quantitative analysis was conducted on English (The Hindu) and Telugu (Eenadu) newspapers pertaining to nutrition and health messages during the month of February, 2010. The percentage of space occupied by health topics in both the newspapers put together was 2.30%. For nutrition topics even less than 1% space was provided. Indian print media's contribution in dissemination of health and nutrition information is meager. Quantity of health and nutrition information catered by regional language daily is less than the English newspaper. Regional language newspaper readers are mostly consist of economically backward and prone to undernutrition. This segment was not supplied with adequate amount of information on nutrition. Regularity to be followed in publishing health and nutrition news in regional newspapers.

Background: Newspapers are an important form of Mass media which plays significant role in health promotion, and is crucial for social development. Studies revealed that newspaper reports lacked consistency in presenting nutrition research results to the readers. A study was conducted with a hypothesis "Newspapers often highlight nutrition research findings disproportionately in order to draw reader's attention". Objective: To assess presentation of nutrition research findings/ outcomes by newspapers as compared to the original research papers on which they are based. Method: The top six popular newspapers in India were selected for the study. A scale was evolved based on 10 parameters for gauging accuracy of the reports. Results: A total of 214 reports were identified as based or claimed on nutrition research in all the above six newspapers. One-fourth of the newspaper reports did not conveyed nutrition research results properly. Few reports were found as contrary to the original findings on which they were based on. Almost one-fifth of the reports have no mention of the source, which denies access to the reader for the original report. Usually, any research or scientific study has its own limitations. But, this vital aspect is missing in the newspapers reports on nutrition research. Conclusions: With emphasis on short, "newsworthy" pieces, the media often only report the results of single studies, and many stories are chosen simply because the results run contrary to current health recommendations. Scientists need to help translate their research for consumers.

Introduction: Mass media plays a vital role in health communication. The target audience of mass media ranges from children, to geriatric population. Mass media often gives least priority to certain science topics for a variety of reasons, mostly to protect commercial interests. In this context, the present study is attempted to elicit teenagers understanding of diet and health-related content through mass media.Objectives: To study the influence of mass media content on teenagers. To analyze how teenagers are influenced by media messages on their diet and health-related behaviours.Methodology: Cross-sectional method with stratified random sampling consisting of 3 types of economic groups viz., lower-income, middle-income and higher income. Results and conclusion:Media content on diet and health-related behaviour motivates teenagers, particularly those messages laced with celebrities' endorsements. Commercial food and beverage products endorsed by celebrities are being consumed by majority of teenagers. Majority teenagers say that, they tend to take one or other kind of physical fitness activity whenever they see a fit body of film actors/ actress and sportspersons in media.

Media plays an important role in social development and teenagers are the future of the society. This study made an attempt to elicit responses from teenagers on media content by projecting questions such as; what kind of content are teenagers viewing/reading mostly? What are their favourite programmes; Do they search for any information about nutrition and health related matters? What is the primary source of information for teenagers about health and nutrition?; and how do they spend their leisure-time? This cross-sectional study adopted stratified random sampling from three types of economic groups using a self-administered questionnaire as a tool for data collection. Results revealed that parents and Internet are serving as primary source of health and nutrition information for teenagers. Teenagers of poor families' have low access to Internet, which manifests the glaring 'digital divide'. Contrary to this, boys of poor families watching porn visuals is significantly highest compared to all strata of boys and girls, which clearly indicates the misuse of Internet by boys of poor families. This study recommends that parents, the media, health practitioners and policy makers, among others look into possible ways of increasing the benefits and reducing the harm that media can have on the development of children and adolescents.