Sugar-sweetened beverages coverage in the British media: an analysis of public health advocacy versus pro-industry messaging

Elliott-Green, Alex, Hyseni, Lirije, Lloyd-Williams, Ffion, Bromley, Helen and Capewell, Simon ORCID: 0000-0003-3960-8999 (2016) Sugar-sweetened beverages coverage in the British media: an analysis of public health advocacy versus pro-industry messaging. BMJ OPEN, 6 (7). e011295-.

	Text Secret Media War over SSBs paper BMJ Open 25April2016.pdf - Author Accepted Manuscript Download (739kB)
	Text Protocol SSB and Media Advocacy BMJ Open 26.01.16.pdf - Author Accepted Manuscript Download (184kB)
	Text Table 1 Key Themes covered by the British Press and the association between slant.pdf - Author Accepted Manuscript Download (304kB)
	Image Figure 1 Number of articles on sugar sweetened beverages-page-001.jpg - Author Accepted Manuscript Download (368kB)
	Image Figure 2 Newspapers with slant on sugar compared to slant on Industry-page-001.jpg - Author Accepted Manuscript Download (404kB)
	Image Figure 1 Number of articles on sugar sweetened beverages-page-001.jpg - Author Accepted Manuscript Download (368kB)
	Image Figure 3 Comparison between Online and Print newspapers in proposing solutions for SSBs-page-001.jpg - Author Accepted Manuscript Download (240kB)
	Text Figure 4 Proposed approaches to SSBs across different newspapers in.pdf - Author Accepted Manuscript Download (188kB)
	Text Appendix 1.pdf - Author Accepted Manuscript Download (4MB)
	Text Sugar-sweetened beverages coverage in the British media: an analysis of public health advocacy versus pro-industry messaging.pdf - Published version Download (1MB)

Abstract

<h4>Objectives</h4>To assess the extent of media-based public health advocacy versus pro-industry messaging regarding sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs).<h4>Design</h4>We conducted a systematic analysis to identify and examine all articles regarding SSBs published in all mainstream British print newspapers and their online news websites from 1 January 2014 to 31 December 2014. We initially conducted a brief literature search to develop appropriate search terms and categorisations for grouping and analysing the articles. Articles were then coded according to the publishing newspaper, article type, topic, prominence and slant (pro-SSB or anti-SSB). A contextual analysis was undertaken to examine key messages in the articles.<h4>Results</h4>We identified 374 articles published during 2014. The majority of articles (81%) suggested that SSBs are unhealthy. Messaging from experts, campaign groups and health organisations was fairly consistent about the detrimental effects of SSB on health. However, relatively few articles assessed any approaches or solutions to potentially combat the problems associated with SSBs. Only one-quarter (24%) suggested any policy change. Meanwhile, articles concerning the food industry produced consistent messages emphasising consumer choice and individual responsibility for making choices regarding SSB consumption, and promoting and advertising their products. The food industry thus often managed to avoid association with the negative press that their products were receiving.<h4>Conclusions</h4>SSBs were frequently published in mainstream British print newspapers and their online news websites during 2014. Public health media advocacy was prominent throughout, with a growing consensus that sugary drinks are bad for people's health. However, the challenge for public health will be to mobilise supportive public opinion to help implement effective regulatory policies. Only then will our population's excess consumption of SSBs come under control.

Item Type:	Article
Uncontrolled Keywords:	Humans, Sweetening Agents, Diet, Communication, Public Health, Consumer Advocacy, Public Opinion, Marketing, Food Industry, Beverages, Mass Media, Internet, Newspapers as Topic, United Kingdom, Dietary Sugars
Depositing User:	Symplectic Admin
Date Deposited:	21 Feb 2017 16:39
Last Modified:	19 Jan 2023 07:19
DOI:	10.1136/bmjopen-2016-011295
Related URLs:	Author Publisher
URI:	https://livrepository.liverpool.ac.uk/id/eprint/3005932