A content analysis of the nutrition-related information found in Indianapolis, Indiana local television news programs

The purposes of this research study were to determine the extent registered dietitians were involved in the Indianapolis local television news reports; to analyze the content of nutrition-related information covered by Indianapolis local television news reports for their length of time, subject, context of nutrition-related information; and to identify the reporter, and any expert sources used. A content analysis was the chosen research method for this research proposal.A total of 33 nutrition-related segments were identified and analyzed from a two week sample of Indianapolis local television news programs. Data were analyzed using SPSS, version 11.0. Registered dietitians were featured as expert opinions in six of the thirty-three news segments. The inclusion of either a registered dietitian or another trained health professional increased the rating of the news segments on the Nutrition Education Continuum. The two most common nutrition-related subjects covered by Indianapolis local television were disease prevention and cooking demonstrations. Results of this study provide modest support for the inclusion of registered dietitians in the local media when reporting nutrition-related information.Department of Family and Consumer SciencesThesis (M.S.