Quantitative Analysis of Nutrition and Health Messages in Indian Print Media

Maheshwar, Mekam; Rao, D. Raghunatha

doi:10.5923/j.phr.20120202.05

Cited by 6 publications

(5 citation statements)

References 10 publications

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“…Although, there are studies in India that assessed the extent of nutrition related news reports in relation to the other reports in Indian newspapers (Maheshwar and Rao, 2011a;Gupta and Sinha, 2010), to our knowledge, there are hardly any studies that compared and assessed newspaper articles about nutrition-related research with the original journal articles/ research studies on which they are based. Earlier studies on the daily newspapers of the south Indian city of Hyderabad also found substantial differences in reporting of nutrition news in English and Vernacular dailies (Maheshwar and Rao, 2011a;2012). The current study was conducted with an objective to evaluate the quality of newspaper articles that reported nutrition research as compared to the original journal articles/research reports on which they were based.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 95%

“…Newspapers form an important part of mass media of health and are considered to be credible (Jones sources of nutrition and information by many people et al., 2008). A substantial proportion of health reports in newspapers today deals with topics related to diet and fitness (Maheshwar and Rao, 2012). Reporting on evolving diet and related health science issues presents a particular challenge for journalists as the public's thirst for this information grows (Gupta and Sinha, 2010;Hilbert and Reid, 2009;Motl et al, 2005).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 1 more Smart Citation

The quality of nutrition research reporting by leading daily newspapers in India

Maheshwar¹,

Gavaravarapu²,

Venkaiah³

et al. 2014

J. Media Commun. Stud.

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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.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 95%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The quality of nutrition research reporting by leading daily newspapers in India

Maheshwar¹,

Gavaravarapu²,

Venkaiah³

et al. 2014

J. Media Commun. Stud.

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…However, limited evidence have suggested that prime focus was on health and nutrition message, health communication, health news, etc. [ 12 13 14 15 ]…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Coverage of health-related articles in major local newspapers of Manipur

Paul

Singh

2016

J Edu Health Promot

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Background:Newspapers have immense potential for generating health awareness on diverse issues such as hygiene, immunization, environmental pollution, and communicable disease. The present study was conducted to determine the frequency of coverage and types of health-related articles published in local newspapers of Manipur.Materials and Methods:This was a cross-sectional study conducted among the most regularly published 10 local newspapers (4 English and 6 Manipuri) of Manipur from February 2011 to January 2012. Health-related articles published in everyday local newspapers were collected after careful search and finally entered into a design Proforma under different categories. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 16.Results:Total health-related articles published were 10,874 and maximum articles were published during February (12.8%). Maximum health-related articles were published on Wednesday (16.1%). Among all the health-related articles, almost half were related with injury followed by public health articles. Maximum public health and injury-related articles were published on Monday, but medical topics were published more on Wednesday. Newspapers of both the languages were publishing public health articles more compared to medical topics. Public health (72.9%) and injury-related articles (95.9%) were published maximum in the news items section, but medical topics (45.8%) were published maximum in the health section of the newspaper. Newspapers of both the languages published maximum small size articles.Conclusions:There is a room for improvement for newspapers of both the languages regarding number of health-related articles’ publication, section of publication, and size of the health articles.

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“…Nearly all dailies and popular magazines do publish educative papers on different topics, like health, including nutrition, science, legal matters, fashion, business, women's problems, and careers. Newspapers are a major source of health and nutrition information for numerous readers [ 125 ]. In a study titled “What the Newspapers Say about Milk Safety in Kenya and Whether Consumers Trust and Value the Information”, the content of the article was transmitted through print media for the activists of production and storage of milk and dairy products.…”

Section: Risk Communication Strategy In Food Safetymentioning

confidence: 99%