Obesity in the New Media: A Content Analysis of Obesity Videos on YouTube

2011/08/02 by Jina H. Yoo, Junghyun Kim, Jung-Hyun Kim · 3 citations
Arts and Humanities · Health Professions · Medicine · #Media Influence and Health #Obesity and Health Practices #Obesity, Physical Activity, Diet

paper · doi:10.1080/10410236.2011.569003

openalex publication_date 2011/08/02 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/29

Abstract

This study examines (1) how the topics of obesity are framed and (2) how obese persons are portrayed on YouTube video clips. The analysis of 417 obesity videos revealed that a newer medium like YouTube, similar to traditional media, appeared to assign responsibility and solutions for obesity mainly to individuals and their behaviors, although there was a tendency that some video categories have started to show other causal claims or solutions. However, due to the prevailing emphasis on personal causes and solutions, numerous YouTube videos had a theme of weight-based teasing, or showed obese persons engaging in stereotypical eating behaviors. We discuss a potential impact of YouTube videos on shaping viewers' perceptions about obesity and further reinforcing stigmatization of obese persons.

Citations

• Framing: Toward Clarification of a Fractured Paradigm
• Coefficient Kappa: Some Uses, Misuses, and Alternatives

Cited by

• Anti-LGB Language
• Stigma to skepticism: online consumer narratives of obesity management medications
• Desire or Disease? Framing Obesity to Influence Attributions of Responsibility and Policy Support

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