weight-loss tips differ in African-American, mainstream women's magazines

[femmenoire]

A new study suggests that weight loss stories in black women’s magazines tend to recommend fad diets and faith at higher rates than “mainstream” women’s magazines, which are more likely to promote eating whole grains, smaller portions and lower-fat foods. Wonderful, because fad diets and “faith in God” are two sure things to melt off the pounds of the black women — 3/4 of whom are overweight or obese — reading the magazines! I’m sure even the most conservative pastors would tell you that laying off the fries and getting your ass off the couch will help you lose weight better than prayer.
For their data, researchers used 406 weight loss articles published from 1984 to 2004 in Ebony, Jet, Essence, Ladies Home Journal, Better Homes & Gardens, and Good Housekeeping.

The magazines suggested many of the same weight-loss strategies, but mainstream magazines were twice as likely to suggest eating more whole grains and protein, smaller portions, and low-fat foods. Relying on God or faith was suggested by 1 in 10 weight-loss stories in the African-American magazines, but in almost no weight-loss stories in the mainstream magazines.
Fad diets were promoted as legitimate strategies in 15 percent of weight-loss stories in the African-American magazines, compared to only 5 percent in the mainstream magazines. Fad diets, defined as diets that may work in the short term but often do not result in sustained changes, included the Dick Gregory Bahamian Diet, the South Beach Diet, the Hilton Head Diet, and the Atkins Diet.
Mainstream magazines offered more strategies per article than African-American magazines. And, while mainstream magazines increased fitness and nutrition coverage during the second decade as the severity of the obesity epidemic unfolded, African-American magazines did not.
​

If the study is to be believed — and it doesn’t surprise me much — it means that editors at black women’s magazines need to catch up with the times and put forth more of an effort to educate readers about fitness and nutrition.

http://www.stereohyped.com/black-wo...e-when-it-comes-to-dieting-20080115/#comments

http://www.physorg.com/news119545914.html

 

[JofromthaNO]

I do notice, in black media, we tend to focus on the "wrong" reasons for losing weight, like looking good (not that its wrong to look good) or superficial reasons. I think for black america to really consider what it does for our health and the health of those we bring into the world, more magazines need to focus on how we can incorporate healthy eating habits into our lifestyles and how to, while still having our favorite foods, use better ingredients to get similar results.

When I shop at stores like Trader Joe's here in Charlotte, I rarely see a black face. I try and push as many of my co-workers as possible to try places like this. Sometimes they say it's expensive to eat well, but Trader Joe's is cheaper when compared to a regular supermarket here. And, it's no wonder stores like this are, many times, built in "white" neighborhoods as to deter middle/lower income people of color to shop there because of cost concerns.

 

[SEXY_SCORPIO]

I do notice, in black media, we tend to focus on the "wrong" reasons for losing weight, like looking good (not that its wrong to look good) or superficial reasons. I think for black america to really consider what it does for our health and the health of those we bring into the world, more magazines need to focus on how we can incorporate healthy eating habits into our lifestyles and how to, while still having our favorite foods, use better ingredients to get similar results.

When I shop at stores like Trader Joe's here in Charlotte, I rarely see a black face. I try and push as many of my co-workers as possible to try places like this. Sometimes they say it's expensive to eat well, but Trader Joe's is cheaper when compared to a regular supermarket here. And, it's no wonder stores like this are, many times, built in "white" neighborhoods as to deter middle/lower income people of color to shop there because of cost concerns.

 

[Izayoi]

AIf the study is to be believed — and it doesn’t surprise me much — it means that editors at black women’s magazines need to catch up with the times and put forth more of an effort to educate readers about fitness and nutrition.

Magazines are about advertising and those mags are playing what they perceive is their demographics level. It's a disservice. I noticed this a long time ago with Heart and Soul and canceled my subscription- at the time the editor was very overweight (this was many years ago and I'm sure the ship has changed hands) and there were way more articles about make up than fitness.

When I shop at stores like Trader Joe's here in Charlotte, I rarely see a black face. I try and push as many of my co-workers as possible to try places like this. Sometimes they say it's expensive to eat well, but Trader Joe's is cheaper when compared to a regular supermarket here. And, it's no wonder stores like this are, many times, built in "white" neighborhoods as to deter middle/lower income people of color to shop there because of cost concerns.

One of the primary excuses I hear is it costs too much to eat healthy. I heard this from a young lady that ate out 3X a day everyday Whole Foods even has tours on how you can shop economically and still get some organic foods.
Trader Joes is great and I've given tours there before to show people that healthy on a budget is possible.

 

[JofromthaNO]

Magazines are about advertising and those mags are playing what they perceive is their demographics level. It's a disservice. I noticed this a long time ago with Heart and Soul and canceled my subscription- at the time the editor was very overweight (this was many years ago and I'm sure the ship has changed hands) and there were way more articles about make up than fitness.




One of the primary excuses I hear is it costs too much to eat healthy. I heard this from a young lady that ate out 3X a day everyday Whole Foods even has tours on how you can shop economically and still get some organic foods.
Trader Joes is great and I've given tours there before to show people that healthy on a budget is possible.

I'm trying to convince my boyfriend of how much more a year it costs to eat out versus cooking at home. Although we all fall into easily picking up some fast food after work, etc., in the long run, we save money and eat much healthier if we plan our eating options out ahead of time.

 

[bigirl]

Man I have done comparison shopping with people who shop at "regular" supermarkets and cry that "its too expensive" song. If we both spend $100 I end up with more food of a much higher quality and they are stunned. Then I do an analysis with them and show them that their hot pockets cost almost 4 bucks and whatever other processed packaged goods. Then they see that my tofu sausages cost less than their meat ones and they trip.
People are brainwashed to think its so expensive.

 

[JofromthaNO]

Man I have done comparison shopping with people who shop at "regular" supermarkets and cry that "its too expensive" song. If we both spend $100 I end up with more food of a much higher quality and they are stunned. Then I do an analysis with them and show them that their hot pockets cost almost 4 bucks and whatever other processed packaged goods. Then they see that my tofu sausages cost less than their meat ones and they trip.
People are brainwashed to think its so expensive.

Sounds like these magazines should do some sort of comparison shopping and show African American consumers what food and money they are missing out on...

 

[bigirl]

Sounds like these magazines should do some sort of comparison shopping and show African American consumers what food and money they are missing out on...

It just occurred to me that myself and others who know should perhaps be writing these articles and shopping them to these mags. Problem is, I know how it works;alot of the articles are advertising driven as in they give plugs to the products of their advertisers

 

[Cleopatra_J]

Lately I've been trying to filter in more organic foods into the groceries that I buy. My roommate does not like it..He claims organic milk taste funny, but I tell him he's conditioned to think that. I try to cook at home at least 3 nights a week. I feel so much healthier, even if its something quick like sloppy joes with ground turkey or just throwing some fish in the oven... much much better!!!