Amanda

CMST 102 Podcast Series: Informative

Nutrition in the Media

Specific Purpose: Informing people about nutrition in the media.

Central Idea: There are many times that information regarding nutritional foods are false.

Introduction

I. (Attention Getter) According to Food Insight, over half of Americans believe it is easier
to figure out their income taxes than to figure out what they should and shouldnt eat to
be healthy.
http://www.foodinsight.org/2012_Food_Health_Survey_Consumer_Attitudes_toward_Fo
od_Safety_Nutrition_and_Health
II. (Audience Adaptation) How many of you have heard and followed something in the
media regarding nutrition and then you hear that is not to be followed? My guess would
be quite a few of you.
III. (Purpose) For those of you that are frustrated with what and what not to follow regarding
nutrition that is being discussed in the media, here are a few suggestions for you to apply
next time you are reading your favorite article and/or magazine.
(Preview) Welcome to Amandas discussion about nutrition in the media
First, I want to inform you on how many people are trying to be healthier, so you are
not alone.
Second, I would like to give a little bit of background about nutrition in the media.
Third, we will talk about some points that you can take to distinguish between what is
to be or not to be.
.

TRANSITION: Now lets review just how many people are striving to be healthier in their
lives.
Body
You may feel like you are the only person that is trying to be health conscious, but you are not,
maybe between your friends and family you are, but in the big world around you, you are not.
Honestly no matter, your age you can get caught up in the advertising game that may not be
presenting nutritional guidance like it should, but some age groups are targeted more than others.
Colorado State University has an article titled Nutrition Misinformation: How to Identify Fraud
and Misleading Claims which states A large portion of healthcare fraud is targeted to those
over the age of 65
It can be shocking to some to hear the statistics that are involved in nutrition.
46% of teens report that they are currently trying to lose weight.
More than half of Americans (55%) report that they are trying to lose weight. 2012
study
6 out of 10 Americans have given a lot of thought to their diet and exercise
 Nearly 6 out of 10 Americans believe that online and mobile tools can help them live
healthful lifestyles. Wouldnt we want to know what we are reading or hearing is
scientifically proven and true?
The answer may be yes, but Three out of four consumers (76%) feel that changes in
nutritional guidance make it hard to know what to believe.
So, as you can see with these figures, you are not alone. People all around are trying to make
healthy decisions, but are getting caught up in what is true or false.
TRANSITION: Some may ask what type of background media has involving nutrition, so I am
here to give you a bit of that background.
In the past and present, numerous times you have articles discussing what a certain
celebritys diet is, encouraging many people follow in their steps.
Media can emphasize importance concerning a nutritional guideline when there is not
enough information backing that guideline.
How many of you have heard to eat this and months/years later that product is no longer
on the good list.
On May 20, 2016, the FDA announced the new Nutrition Facts label for packaged foods
to reflect new scientific information, including the link between diet and chronic diseases
such as obesity and heart disease. The new label will make it easier for consumers to
make better informed food choices. www.fda.gov Which is good news.

TRANSITION: Going on, lets talk about some of the hints/points that you can look for that
means what you are reading may not be correct.

The FTC site https://www.ftc.gov/tips-advice/business-center/guidance/gut-check-

reference-guide-media-spotting-false-weight-loss says that advertisers often use the
reputation of respected media outlets as cover. The FTC has compiled some statements
that you should be aware of when you are reading something about nutrition and how
much you will lose for weight if you use this or that product.

1. causes weight loss of two pounds or more a week for a month or more without
dieting or exercise. Thousands of people are trying to lose weight and may fall
for a phrase like this. Or like.
2. causes substantial weight loss no matter what or how much the consumer eats

3. causes permanent weight loss even after the consumer stops using product

4. blocks the absorption of fat or calories to enable consumers to lose substantial

weight

5. safely enables consumers to lose more than three pounds per week for more
than four weeks

6. causes substantial weight loss for all users

 7. cause substantial weight loss by wearing a product on the body or rubbing it
into the skin.

If any of these statements get by the magazine editor and publisher than you should be
leery. The sad fact is many people do hear these statements, I know I have. Have you?

Lets further our awareness by examining the Colorado State University Extension article
http://extension.colostate.edu/topic-areas/nutrition-food-safety-health/nutrition-
misinformation-how-to-identify-fraud-and-misleading-claims-9-350/. Within the article
they list top ten red flags for misleading claims.

1. Recommendations that promise a quick fix.

2. Dire warnings of danger from a single product or regimen.

3. Claims that sound too good to be true.

4. Simplistic conclusions drawn from a complex study

5. Recommendations based on a single study.

6. Dramatic statements that are refuted by reputable scientific organizations.

7. Lists of good and bad foods

8. Spinning information from another product to match the producers claims.

9. Stating that research is currently underway, indicating that there is no current

research.

10. And finally, Non-science based testimonials supporting the product, often from
celebrities or highly satisfied customers.

The Colorado State article makes the statement that Websites should be from
credible web addresses ending in .edu (an educational institution), .gov (government
agency), or .org(non-profit). Any web pages that end in.com (commercials) or .net
(networks) should be reviewed with caution.

Just keep in mind that not every single website or article you come across regarding
nutrition is a bad one, just be cautious at where you got it and the sources they are
using.
INTERNAL SUMMARY: To come to a conclusion, we have reviewed how many people are
trying to stay healthy or get back into being healthy, background on nutrition in the media, and
phrases/points one should make aware when reading about a recommended nutritional guidance.

Conclusion

I. Thank you for listening! The main purpose of this podcast was just to make
consumers aware that not everything nutritional in the media should be followed.
II. It can be very hard not to take the time to figure out if what someone is suggesting
for you to consume or use to be healthier or loss weight is true because we all
have busy lives. Also, many of us want to know exactly how to lose weight.
III. In conclusion, I hope you all have a wonderful day, and thanks again for listening
to Amandas discussion about nutrition in the media!

References

1. Food Insight, 2012, May; Last Updated: 2016, April; 2012 Food & Health Survey:
Consumer Attitudes toward Food Safety, Nutrition and Health; Reprinted from the
International Food Information Council Foundation 2012; Retrieved from
http://www.foodinsight.org/2012_Food_Health_Survey_Consumer_Attitudes_toward_Fo
od_Safety_Nutrition_and_Health

2. Bellows. L. and Moore. R.; Published 2013, September; Nutrition Misinformation: How
to Identify Fraud and Misleading Claims; Retrieved from
http://extension.colostate.edu/topic-areas/nutrition-food-safety-health/nutrition-
misinformation-how-to-identify-fraud-and-misleading-claims-9-350/.

3. Federal Trade Commission; 2014, January; Gut Check: A Reference Guide for Media on
False Weight Loss Claims; Retrieved fromhttps://www.ftc.gov/tips-advice/business-
center/guidance/gut-check-reference-guide-media-spotting-false-weight-loss.

4. Food and Drug Administration; 2017, April; Changes to the Nutritional Facts Label;
Retrieved from
https://www.fda.gov/Food/GuidanceRegulation/GuidanceDocumentsRegulatoryInformati
on/LabelingNutrition/ucm385663.htm.