food and beverages

Childhood Obesity Tops 2013's Food News Stories

In a year when several new "Let's Move!" initiatives by First Lady Michelle Obama generated widespread media coverage, it's perhaps not surprising that fighting obesity in children was the food-related story that generated both the most awareness and the most concern among Americans during 2013, according to Hunter Public Relations's 11th annual Food News Study.

In last year's food news survey, the First Lady's Let's Move! campaign ranked sixth in awareness, although "healthier school lunches" news ranked fourth. Last year's top three in awareness were 2012's Midwest drought and accompanying jumps in crop/food prices, revelations about "pink slime" in beef, and issues surrounding genetically modified organisms/GMOs in food.

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In awareness terms, 2013's #2 and #3 stories were the short-lived absence and subsequent revival of iconic Hostess Twinkies, and New York City's ban of large-size sodas and other sugar-sweetened beverages (the soda ban came in #9 in 2012). However, while 90% of respondents were aware of these much-covered and debated stories in 2013, just 10% and 14% expressed concern, respectively, about Twinkies or the soda ban.

Also in 2013's top five for awareness: labeling of GMOs, and reports alleging medical emergencies and deaths related to consumption of Monster and other energy drinks (the FDA is still examining the safety of such beverages).

After childhood obesity, the stories rated highest for concern were GMO labeling, crops and climate change, the energy-drink controversy, and the U.S. farm bill. (The farm bill is still languishing in Congress, although a threatened spike in milk prices that got wide coverage now appears unlikely, at least through January.) 

Food safety issues of one kind or another ranked among the top three stories in awareness for the past six years, but none (unless you count GMO labeling) made the top five this year. Similarly, for the first time in five years, food prices failed to make the top-in-awareness list, although 34% of respondents reported that they are doing more food-price comparison shopping in 2013.

Top-Ranked Behavior Changes

Half of those surveyed said they took action based on food news stories they had seen this year. 

The top three behavior changes were checking food labels more often, paying attention to ingredients lists, and eating fewer processed foods. (Last year, the top behavior changes related specifically to GMOs included checking labels for these, and researching more information about GMOs.)

Influence of Traditional Vs. Online, Social Media

Newspapers were the #1 source for general food news (cited by 33%), followed by evening TV news shows (29%), TV cooking shows (24%), morning TV news shows (21%), and news Web sites (19% — sites inched past cookbooks and magazines this year). Among social media, Facebook was the most-used source for general food news.

Web sites are now also the top source for food nutrition information: 47% of Americans say they get their nutrition news online.

When it comes to getting recipes, recipe Web sites lead (cited by 46%), followed by general cookbooks (43%), food/cooking magazines (33%), TV cooking shows (21%) and Facebook (20%). Among social media, the other leading recipe sources were blogs (17%), Pinterest (8%) and Twitter and Instagram (each with 2%). 

Trust issues are a key factor in choices of media as sources for food news and information. Respondents ranked health/medical sites, books/cookbooks, magazines, TV anchors and health experts as among the most trusted sources, while newer social platforms (including Instagram) and comments from celebrities were ranked the least-trusted.

However, Hunter notes that use of, and trust levels regarding, traditional versus social media as food information sources do vary by generation. (A follow-up paper outlining more specifics by segments is planned.)

For Hunter's 2013 Food News Study, Libran Research & Consulting conducted a quantitative online survey among 1,000 Americans age 18 and older (recruited via an email invitation). The respondent sample was balanced to the U.S. population on key demographics. The survey's reliability is plus or minus 3.1 percentage points (the odds are 95 in 100 that a survey result does not vary, plus or minus, by more than 3.1 percentage points).

A sign-up to obtain the full 2013 Food News Study white paper is on Hunter's site.

"Girl Eating Chips" photo from Shutterstock.

1 comment about "Childhood Obesity Tops 2013's Food News Stories ".
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  1. Jeff Long from Pattison Sports Group, December 18, 2013 at 10:55 a.m.

    This is just another reason why Healthy Kids Running Series continues its rapid national growth. Check out it at HealthyKidsRunningSeries.org

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