Russell-Mayhew, ShellySalvisberg, Wendy2015-09-252015-11-202015-09-252015Salvisberg, 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/25008http://hdl.handle.net/11023/2495The 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.engUniversity of Calgary graduate students retain copyright ownership and moral rights for their thesis. You may use this material in any way that is permitted by the Copyright Act or through licensing that has been assigned to the document. For uses that are not allowable under copyright legislation or licensing, you are required to seek permission.Educational PsychologyEducation--Guidance and CounselingMental HealthWeight-Related ConcernsMediaFamilySituational Analysismaster thesishttp://dx.doi.org/10.11575/PRISM/25008