A Situational Analysis of Family Characterizations Related to Eating, Weight, and Appearance
Date
2015-09-25
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Abstract
The media is considered an important social institution due to its powerful nature of defining social situations. Individuals are exposed to messages about weight and feeding practices which are often inconsistent and confusing. Parents internalize messages and act as socializing agents, informing their children through conversation and modelling of the type of eating behaviours, weight, and appearance that are valued in society. This research utilized situational analysis to examine five of the most popular online Canadian family magazines with a focus on how eating, weight, and appearance are presented in the articles and images. The analysis revealed powerful discursive messages related to adoption of certain eating practices, mentalities pertaining to weight and appearance, and the ways in which health is perceived in contradicting manners. The findings expose a need for education of media producers about how they discuss weight-related topics and parental responsibility for health and weight.
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Keywords
Educational Psychology, Education--Guidance and Counseling, Mental Health
Citation
Salvisberg, W. (2015). A Situational Analysis of Family Characterizations Related to Eating, Weight, and Appearance (Master's thesis, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada). Retrieved from https://prism.ucalgary.ca. doi:10.11575/PRISM/25008