title: Food, nutrition and slimming messages in British women's magazines, 1950-1998.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The present study examined temporality in the representation of food in two popular British women's magazines between 1950 and 1998.
  
  
  METHODS
  A quantitative content analysis of (i) prevalence of cooking, slimming, nutrition advice in articles; (ii) prevalence of food advertising by food type; and (iii) likelihood of various nutrition and consumer messages in advertising was performed on a sample comprising 200 magazines, with 3045 advertisements and 88 articles.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The prevalence of food advertisements decreased (P < 0.001), whereas food articles increased, across decades (P < 0.001). Cooking tips dominated 1950s food writing (100%), contrasting with miniscule coverage in the 1990s (5%). Slimming advice was not represented in 1950s articles and was most common in 1970s articles (55% of articles). Food advertising for all food types decreased in the 1990s decade. There were greater bread and cereals (P < 0.001), protein foods (P = 0.001) and dairy (P < 0.001) advertising in later decades; advertising for sugar- and fat-rich foods (P < 0.001), condiments and baking ingredients (P < 0.001) and beverages (P < 0.001) was greater in earlier decades. Odds of advertising claims for energy, easy digestion, nourishment, general health, economy, good for family (all P < 0.01), pleased others (P = 0.017) and convenience (P = 0.031) were greater in the 1950s and decreased thereafter. Claims around taste and quality were highest in the 1960s (all P < 0.01). Mineral, additive-free, and protein claims were most likely to be invoked in 1970s advertising (all P < 0.01). Low-fat, low-calorie and fibre claims peaked in the 1980s (all P < 0.01), whereas the odds of specific fat claims was greatest in the 1990s (P = 0.015).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Representation of food resonated with prevailing food culture but was not always congruent with nutrition policy.
authors.affiliation: Human Nutrition Unit, Department of Oncology, School of Medicine, University of Sheffield, Royal Hallamshire Hospital, Sheffield, UK.
authors.forename: M E
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Barker
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: McNeir
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Sameer
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Russell
mesh_terms: D000329:Advertising / Q000266:history; D003258:Consumer Behavior; D005260:Female; D005502:Food; D019649:Food Industry; D006266:Health Education; D049673:History, 20th Century; D006801:Humans; D010506:Periodicals as Topic / Q000266:history*; D006113:United Kingdom; D015431:Weight Loss
keywords: food advertising trends; food culture; nutrition; slimming; women's magazines