Journal article
Framing Breastfeeding and Formula-Feeding Messages in Popular U.S. Magazines
Women & health, Vol.44(1), pp.95-118
11/28/2006
DOI: 10.1300/J013v44n01_06
PMID: 17182529
Abstract
Media framing of infant feeding has the ability to influence knowledge and views of the barriers, benefits, and solutions inherent in breastfeeding or formula-feeding. This study examined how seven popular U.S. parenting, general women's, and African American magazines framed breastfeeding and formula-feeding messages to determine whether a sense-making approach was used and the extent to which visual images portrayed feeding practices. Analysis included 615 articles published from 1997 to 2003 that referred to infant feeding. Text and images were analyzed. The magazines provided more information on breastfeeding than formula feeding. Parenting magazines included more advice than barriers or benefits. African American magazines presented more breastfeeding benefits, and general women's magazines contained the least infant-feeding information. Messages were focused on individualized breastfeeding barriers and advice, seldom covered social and environmental issues, and placed much of the responsibility of infant feeding on the mother, while the role of social and partner support was diminished. Bottle-feeding images were nearly as common as breastfeeding images. Findings can be used by public health practitioners to increase the likelihood of reaching certain target audiences through popular magazines.
Details
- Title: Subtitle
- Framing Breastfeeding and Formula-Feeding Messages in Popular U.S. Magazines
- Creators
- Leah Frerichs - University of IowaJulie L Andsager - University of IowaShelly Campo - University of IowaMary Aquilino - University of IowaCarolyn Stewart Dyer - University of Iowa
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Publication Details
- Women & health, Vol.44(1), pp.95-118
- Publisher
- Taylor & Francis Group
- DOI
- 10.1300/J013v44n01_06
- PMID
- 17182529
- ISSN
- 0363-0242
- eISSN
- 1541-0331
- Language
- English
- Date published
- 11/28/2006
- Academic Unit
- Graduate College Admin and Gen; Communication Studies; School of Journalism and Mass Communication; Community and Behavioral Health
- Record Identifier
- 9984063111002771
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