Chinese media coverage of eating disorders: Disorder representations and patient profiles

Eating disorders (EDs) are becoming more prevalent in China; however, no studies have been conducted to explore how Chinese media represented EDs, and how media representation of ED impacted public understanding of EDs. The aim of this study was to analyze articles about EDs in Chinese newspapers, and to identify any potential inaccuracies about EDs as represented in the media.

Content analysis was employed to analyze a total number of 292 news articles over the span of two decades (1998-2019). Intercoder reliability was satisfactory for all the coded categories. The analysis was conducted on two different dimensions: for individual news article and for individual patient profile.

The bulk of news reporting on EDs was about anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa. A majority of individual patient profiles focused on young women. Anorexia nervosa was mentioned and discussed more frequently than bulimia nervosa. Chinese newspapers generally presented correct information concerning anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa, but conveyed shallow information about the etiology and treatment. There were also misconceptions of EDs as reported in Chinese media.

EDs have not received sufficient attention in Chinese media, as shown by the media coverage on EDs over the last two decades. Considering the increasing prevalence of EDs in China with its large population base, effective communication strategies are needed to call public attention to this health issue, and to galvanize the medical community and the society to devote more resources to improve the prevention and treatment of EDs in China.