by: Pamela Mejia
posted on Thursday, April 12, 2012
News coverage of a study that links the risk of autism to obesity during pregnancy frames the issue primarily as it relates to expecting mothers’ eating and exercise habits. It largely ignores the social, cultural, and environmental factors that contribute to obesity.
Tags: autism, children's health, media, obesity, public health, women's health
by: Pamela Mejia
posted on Tuesday, March 20, 2012
A New York Times article of a lawsuit involving South Dakota’s Oglala Sioux and beer manufacturers, distributors, and sellers largely ignores the role of major brewers who the tribe allege have knowingly promoted alcoholism on their land, where alcohol is illegal.
Tags: alcohol, equity, Oglala Sioux, public health, Whiteclay
by: Andrew Cheyne
posted on Tuesday, January 24, 2012
Following Food Network star Paula Deen’s announcment that she has Type-2 diabetes, fans have rallied behind her in support. But the arguments that they — and Deen herself — are using to defend her promotion of high-calorie foods are eerily similar to the industry rhetoric used to defend another Southern product: tobacco.
Tags: diabetes, food and beverage marketing, obesity, paula deen, public health, tobacco
by: Priscilla Gonzalez
posted on Wednesday, January 18, 2012
At a time when obesity has reached epidemic proportions, food and beverage companies continue to heavily target the environments that young Latino and African Americans live in with fatty and sugary foods. New research briefs from Salud America! expand our understanding of industry tactics.
Tags: built environment, food and beverage marketing, obesity prevention, public health, target marketing
by: Ingrid Daffner Krasnow
posted on Wednesday, January 04, 2012
A national “nurse-in” organized to push retailers to protect women’s right to breastfeed in public has captured media attention. Coverage of the events illuminates some widespread barriers that keep women from breastfeeding in spite of its known health benefits and in spite of women’s desire to do so.
Tags: breastfeeding, equity, public health
by: Fernando Quintero
posted on Tuesday, December 13, 2011
First Lady Michelle Obama recently announced that she will focus more on getting kids to be active in her Let’s Move campaign. Does this mean less time encouraging food companies to make healthier products for kids and stop marketing junk food to them? Advocate Marion Nestle and the White House’s Sam Kass weigh in.
Tags: junk food marketing, Let's Move, Marion Nestle, Michelle Obama, physical activity, public health, Sam Kass
by: Heather Gehlert
posted on Thursday, December 01, 2011
McDonald’s has found a way to skirt a San Francisco ordinance requiring restaurants offering toys to make sure the food that comes with them meets certain nutrition standards. Instead of making its Happy Meals healthier, McDonald’s is now charging for toys. But even if the fast feeder is complying with the law, they are hardly off the hook.
Tags: food marketing, Happy Meals, McDonald's, obesity, public health, San Francisco
by: Pamela Mejia
posted on Tuesday, November 22, 2011
Child sexual abuse isn’t just about courtrooms and arraignments, but you wouldn’t know it to read the newspaper: Too often, coverage focuses on the details of high profile cases but ignores the environments that fostered the abuse. Now we have an unprecedented opportunity to examine both at once.
Tags: child sexual abuse, Jerry Sandusky, Joe Paterno, Penn State, public health
by: Pamela Mejia
posted on Monday, November 14, 2011
Sodas and other sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs) are the single largest source of excess calories for children. Yet in spite of SSB bans on many school campuses and industry promises to limit marketing to kids, youth are still bombarded with ads for these unhealthy drinks.
Tags: childhood obesity, marketing, public health, SSBs, sugar-sweetened beverages
by: Andrew Cheyne
posted on Wednesday, November 09, 2011
This year’s annual American Public Health Association conference was filled with folks thinking critically about the inequities facing our society and proposing creative ways to address them. Here is a snapshot of some memorable ideas and experiences.
Tags: apha, inequities, public health
