The media and slimming.

The Media comprises the communication channels of TV, radio, newspapers (national and regional), magazines and specialist publications. Within these channels, communication can be via the editorial material, the advertising material or the advertorials (adverts cleverly designed as editorials!). There is not a single method within any of the communication channels which is not used to promulgate advice on the benefits, or techniques, of weight loss. In the present paper, the intention is to take a critical look at the way that the Media tackles the subject of slimming in its editorials and advertising, giving examples where appropriate and making some constructive comments about the ways in which the scientists and the Media can work together to produce an end result which will please them both.