Understanding Influences of the Media on Physical Activity and Nutrition: An Ecological Approach

Principal Investigator
John C. Spence

Co-Investigators
Kathleen Martin Ginis
Kerry McGannon
Kim Raine
Imre Szeman
Eric Finkelstein
Cam Wild

Project Overview
A rapid rise in the prevalence of obesity has occurred in Canada over the past two decades (Katzmarzyk, 2002). Such findings have lead public health organizations to call for more effective approaches to prevention of obesity. The standard preventive approach of trying to change the food habits and physical activity practices of individuals has proved to be efficacious in the short-term but not very effective over the long-term (Orleans, 2000). As a result, several prominent researchers argue that a broader multi-level approach to prevention that addresses policy and environmental factors that facilitate such behaviours should be more effective in reducing the population burden of obesity (Egger & Swinburn, 1997; Nestle & Jacobson, 2000; Swinburn et al., 1999).

Swinburn et al. (1999) present a conceptual framework, known as ANGELO (analysis grid for environments linked to obesity), which is helpful for understanding relationships between environments and obesity-relevant behaviours. The framework is a 2 X 4 grid describing environments by size (either micro or macro) and type (physical, economic, political, sociocultural). Within the grid, elements affecting food intake and physical activity are characterized as obesogenic (promoting obesity) or leptogenic (promoting leanness) and are rated for validity, relevance, and changeability. While Egger & Swinburn (1997) maintain that the macroenvironment determines the prevalence of obesity in a population, applying ANGELO to existing research reveals that very little information is available on macroenvironment influences (e.g., media) on obesity. This is surprising, given that the recent Surgeon General's report (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 2002) identifies media and communications as one of five important “settings” for addressing obesity. Swinburn et al (1999) identify the mass media as an important sector at the macroenvironmental level in their framework.

The objective of this research program is to determine which and how the media influences obesogenic behaviours (i.e., poor diet, and sedentary behaviour). Part of the difficulty with assessing environmental influences on obesity, as described by Swinburn and colleagues, is that expertise in multiple behaviours, disciplines, and methods is required. Thus, the primary goal of this project is to assemble a team of researchers who have the requisite skills and knowledge who can then develop research proposals addressing media-related influences on obesity.

The project will address three broad activities. Specifically, (1) a systematic and critical review of the literature will be conducted examining the media and obesogenic behaviours; (2) a symposium will be convened including experts in the area of media and behaviour; and finally, (3) operating grant proposals will be developed based upon the learnings from the review of literature and symposium.

Time Frame
2004-2005

Funding Agencies
Canadian Institutes of Health Research
Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada