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Dairy Council Digest Archives
Good Science: Its Role In Setting the Record Straight
Introduction
Consumers' appetite for and access to nutrition and health information through the media (e.g., television, magazines, newspapers, Internet) is at an all-time high (1). Yet, many are confused by what they perceive as conflicting reports and mixed messages in the media.
Consumer surveys indicate that the public is interested in diet and health (2,3). According to the 2000 Food Marketing Institute/PREVENTION magazine's Shopping for Health survey, more than one in three (36%) shoppers seek information about nutrition and health (2). A recent survey commissioned by The American Dietetic Association (3) found that nearly half (43%) of survey respondents wanted to know breaking research news on diet and health. Consistent with this public interest, media coverage of diet, nutrition, and food safety has escalated in recent years (1). According to a 1999 survey of stories from 39 broadcast, print, and online media over a 3-month period, coverage of diet, nutrition, and food safety increased 55% compared to a similar survey in 1997 (1).
Although the public today has more access to information about diet and health than ever before, many people are confused and anxious about their diets and report being unable to distinguish reliable from unreliable information. Nearly three-quarters (73%) of consumers participating in the Shopping for Health survey (2) strongly or mostly agreed that there is too much conflicting information regarding which foods are and are not healthful. Recently, for example, there have been contradictory diet and health stories in the media about fiber, beta-carotene, vitamin E, soy, butter, and margarine (4).
A 1997 survey by the National Health Council found that 68% of survey respondents agreed with the following statement: "When reporting medical and health news, the media often contradict themselves, so I don't know what to believe" (5). Another survey during the same year reported that 79% of shoppers thought that it was very or somewhat likely that in the next five years experts would have a completely different idea about which foods are healthful and which are not (6). Likewise, the Trends 2000 survey by The American Dietetic Association (3) found that 22% of those surveyed reported being confused by all the reports giving dietary advice. Also, 37% held the misperception that some foods should be avoided altogether. This belief contradicts nutrition professionals' philosophy that all foods can fit into a healthful diet.
Although consumer’s interest in diet and health is high, mixed messages in the media and claims by special interest groups are eroding their confidence in dietary recommendations.
Various special interest groups that conduct misinformation campaigns distorting scientific facts about diet and health also contribute to the public's confusion about their diets. Using sensationalism, not scientific evidence, to support their claims, these groups issue dietary advice to the public based on their political, social, and ideological agendas (7). For example, several perpetuate common myths and misinformation about dairy foods in the media to further their particular agendas (7). Their claims are not supported by the mainstream nutrition and science community, which supports consumption of milk and other dairy foods as part of a nutritious diet (8-12).
A variety of factors contribute to the public's skepticism about diet and health, including their unfamiliarity with the scientific process. The media, health professionals, scientists, the food industry, and consumers all can take steps to improve understanding and help ensure that diet and health information is based on sound science (13,14).
This Digest reviews where the public obtains nutrition information; how media contribute to the public's confusion about their diets; the role of some special interest groups in increasing the public's skepticism about dietary recommendations; the potential health impact of misinterpretation of the science; and guidelines for communicating sound science to help set the record straight about specific foods, diet, and health.
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