How the media covers obesity in America

• Comparing the coverage of two mainstream newspapers to two ethnic newspapers in Philadelphia, this study finds that mainstream outlets favored public policy efforts to address the obesity epidemic whereas the ethnic papers emphasized self-efficacy (e.g., individual choices like healthy eating and exercise).
• The two ethnic newspapers (which served Hispanic and African American communities) used community-based organizations as sources, direct mention of at-risk groups for obesity and common, non-jargon language — all indicators of cultural competency (the development of skills needed to communicate effectively with people from cultures other than their own). However, the African-American newspaper, The Philadelphia Tribune, discussed obesity less than expected by the researchers when compared with the overall sample.