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Exploring media representations of weight-loss surgery
Nicole M Glenn1, Kerry R McGannon, John C Spence
1University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. nglenn@ualberta.ca
Qualitative Health Research
|January 4, 2013
Summary
Media portrayals of bariatric surgery often perpetuate harmful stereotypes and weight-based stigma. This study reveals how news coverage of this obesity treatment reinforces bias and discrimination against surgical patients.
Area of Science:
- Medical Sociology
- Media Studies
- Critical Discourse Analysis
Background:
- Popular culture and media representations of obesity are frequently scrutinized.
- However, the media's portrayal of bariatric surgery, a growing treatment for morbid obesity, remains under-examined.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore news media representations of bariatric surgery.
- To understand how these representations may contribute to bias, stigmatization, and discrimination against individuals undergoing the procedure.
Main Methods:
- Employed an eclectic approach to critical discourse analysis.
- Examined dominant discourses within news media coverage of bariatric surgery.
Main Results:
- Identified dominant discourses framing bariatric surgery within biomedical and benevolent government subject positions.
- Revealed that media representations reinforce simplistic, binary understandings of obesity and weight-loss surgery.
- Uncovered a gendered narrative that promotes weight-based stigma.
Conclusions:
- Existing media representations of bariatric surgery are problematic and contribute to stigmatization.
- Challenging these oversimplified narratives is crucial to combatting weight-based discrimination.
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