How often is our intelligence insulted by the media?

[Gabriel Guzman]

Not really an article I found or anything like that, but it has to do with the media. My intention is not just to list things but to see if we can learn along the way from the misinformation we see every day wherever we turn our heads and ears. If this post is out of place, please let me know so I can move it to a better part of the board.

Every day, while making an ice latter for Billie and a conventional for myself, I get to watch the news. She likes NBC. It is fascinating, or rather irritating to me to watch how the media insults my intelligence commercial after commercial when trying to put the message of 'healthy eating' out there. An then, of course, is the resident dietitian or nutritionist of the station that doesn't do any better.

I'm no genius, nor I pretend to be one, but correct me if I'm incorrect when I say that when we've spent some time on this board and participated in the discussion, we've really become savvy about nutrition. Anyway... I wonder which commercials really make you feel like you've been insulted. I know... where could we start, right? Let' just keep it related to food, nutrition, and health (through nutrition of course).

I'll start... My main beef (no pun inteded) is with the commercials about cholesterol-lowering drugs, and then those about cholesterol-lowering miracles such as CEREALS!

Paraphrasing

Cheerios"... My doctor told me I need to lower my cholesterol... I guess I have to do what I have to do... I'll have my Cheerios every day..."

SMART cereal"The 'smart' cereal.... because it lowers your cholesterol..."


When every study that looks into the effect of carbohydrate restriction on cholesterol shows that such approach normalizes all the players in the cholesterol dynamics, not just lowering LDL (sometimes that doesn't even happen but the LDL profile becomes more populated with less dense particles), here are these pinheads advertising to eat exactly what affects cholesterol the most: carbs. Yeah, yeah... Cheerios and Quaker's Oat Meal can attribute their effects on the content of fiber but fiber does nothing for HDL or triglycerides.

And how about the new drug for diabetics that claims to act by making the pancreas produce more insulin, while also sensitizing cells so they can take in glucose in a better way. It also claims that subjects are not likely to gain weight... hmmm, I'd like to see the data on that. Let's see, production of more insulin also means that other insulin-dependent processes will be active all the time and one of those is none other than fat synthesis. So the pancreas produces more insulin so there is less sugar in the blood... should that glucose also goes into the fat cells, we can see a double-wammy! Raw material to fuel fat synthesis and the actual hormone that drives the process...

My list is quite long but I'm sure you have your own commercials that make you feel insulted... let's see if we all have common ones! :)

[Missy]

Great subject Gabe! lol I'll pay more specific attention to those things I've tuned out to see what it is that they are advertising. You are SO RIGHT! :mad: When I see that commercialization of misinformation I just roll my eyes and think what an up hill battle it will ALWAYS be.

I'll pay more attention and report in.

[Gaelen]

For me, it's not so much the Cheerios/cholesterol lowering commercial--
It's the General Mills 'whole grain' cereal commercial that has something the equal of a semi-tractor trailer full of cereals that all contain 'whole grains.'

There's a whole list of their 'we're sneaking in whole grains' cereals, but my absolute favorite is LUCKY CHARMS. Lucky Charms?!? Whatever minimal whole grains it contains (and I've read the label; it's pretty minimal if the fiber content is any indication) has to be completely outweighed by the fact that it contains little colored heart, diamond and clover shaped miniature marshmallows.

One of my nephews loves the stuff, and the last time he had a bowl, it looked like the mini marshmallow pieces were about 1/4 of the bowl's content.
Whole grains. Yep, that's the ticket...that makes it a *good for you* bowl of sugar. :rolleyes:

[Mal Lady]

I don't know much about Subway Sandwiches. But, everytime I see that big thing on my tv screen - all I see is that whopper of a bun. Looks like a submarine just waiting to make my belly bloat and that's where all that would end up. Like a floatation device around my middle. I know you can picture it around the pitchman - what's his name??? Jason - Jarod??? Anyway, just the picture that comes to mind when I see it. About 10 of those things wrapped around his belly. Yeah, he lost the weight - but, I know if that's all I ate - I wouldn't lose one pound. I'd pack 'em on faster than you can say - "Subway"!:o:eek::nod:

Then, tauting all these "miracle spreads". I can't look at another tub of margarine without it reminding me of a tub of gelatinized vomit. Tastes like it also!!!!!

Yuck!!!!! I'm getting sick thinking about it!

Sharon

[Ammy]

Oh Sharon...you brought up MY media/advertising pet peeve...

you see sandwiches advertised for many restaurants, and it looks so MEATY and full of veggies...then when you order the thing, it's ALL BREAD. Anytime you have to move the bread just to find the contents of the sandwich, it's bad...very bad...ALL bad...:mad:

[gitfiddle]

Gabe, what sends chills down my spine is listening or reading (when the mute is on) the side effects from the prescription drugs that are heavily advertised to fix anything that you might imagine is awry in your body. They have to, by law, inform us, but the images playing on the screen are very attractive and distract from the message. I feel more threatened than insulted by that aspect of advertising. I believe I read that the United States is one of only a very few countries that allow advertising for prescription drugs in the media.

Don't even get me started on the cereals! Has anyone found it ironic that the overweight gentleman who used to say that oatmeal is the "right thing to do" is now advertising diabetic supplies? :suspicious: I did cringe at the "whole grain goodness" commercials with the sugar-bomb cereals. That's certainly insulting!

I am not at all in favor of "Big Brother" telling us how to run our lives, but it is tragic that the average person is gullible and accepting of some very radical messages. Instead of being guided we are being exploited by snake-oil salesmen who are only in it for the profit to themselves.

:rolleyes: I'm going to stop now. :cry:

[Gabriel Guzman]

Oh please don't stop Carol! We're just warming up! :) At some point, we'll start talking about the so called 'experts' that appear in the morning shows with their mouthfull of health wisdom... or not... ;)

Happy July 4th everyone! It's beautiful here today and we'll have a lot of grilled stuff! Hmmm... even 'meatzza'.

Enjoy your weekend and have a bite of chicken every time they see a stupid commercial!

[gitfiddle]

Oh please don't stop Carol! We're just warming up! :)
Okay, Gabe, I'll take that literally! I neglected to mention the television setup in my doctor's waiting room that runs prescription drug "commercials" back to back with short breaks for nutritional or lifestyle pep talks. :p Luckily, I don't need to see the doctor very often. The sign above the television says "Accent Health" and it looks to me that it was probably offered by one of the pharmaceutical vendors he buys from.

I suppose I should qualify by saying I just found out the side effects of one of the drugs I was prescribed is weight gain, congestive heart disease and blood sugar management by making new fat cells. I'm doing quite well without it now. :nod:

[Gaelen]

I neglected to mention the television setup in my doctor's waiting room that runs prescription drug "commercials" back to back with short breaks for nutritional or lifestyle pep talks. :p Luckily, I don't need to see the doctor very often. The sign above the television says "Accent Health" and it looks to me that it was probably offered by one of the pharmaceutical vendors he buys from.

I'm not a huge fan of Accent Health, either, but please let's not just routinely blame drug companies for everything. :) Accent Health is a targeted TV marketing tool (not unlike the Walmart radio network that plays in all the Walmart stores.) It's sold to practices as a way of improving patient perception of 'waiting room time.' Drug companies and other advertisers buy ads on Accent Health, just like they buy them in magazines and on regular tv (and I agree, some of the ads lead people down a path where they could make a better choice.) But the drug companies do not offer, pay for or supply Accent Health Network to practices. Accent Health does its own marketing.

Practices have to subscribe to 'Accent Health,' just like they subscribe to the service that writes/designs that canned newsletter they have available in their waiting rooms. You know the one--some articles about stuff already in the news, onto which they can tack their address and physicians lists, and which they can modify (if they feel like taking the time--most don't) with practice-specific pieces. Those newsletters, like Accent Health, are marketed to practices as an easy, low effort way to provide health 'information' to the practice's patients. Accent Health is a one-hour loop of little bits of health info and ads produced by CNN in partnership with Discovery Health, and marketed as a 'waiting room service' to doctors and practices across the country. Accent Health is an advertising vehicle for drug companies, but it's not a freebie they give to practices like pens and coffee mugs.

From their website:

About AccentHealth LLC
AccentHealth is America's #1 Integrated Health Media Company offering advertisers multiple consumer touch points in physician waiting rooms. The AccentHealth Waiting Room TV Network, produced in conjunction with CNN, reaches 100 million viewers annually in 185 Nielsen markets. The programming features customized content on a variety of topics, including medical breakthroughs, parenting issues, nutrition, fitness, safety and wellness. The program has won recognition from the Telly Awards, the Cindy Awards, the American Academy of Nursing, the Health Information Awards and the Society of Professional Journalists. Our integrated office promotions further engage our viewers and provide advertisers additional exposure in targeted physician practices. Visit www.accenthealth.com.

http://www.accenthealthmedia.com/faq.shtml

FAQ's
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Why do doctors agree to show AccentHealth programming in the waiting room?
AccentHealth is a credible patient educational tool. Programming is produced by CNN and offers timely health information that engages patients in the waiting room – making wait time pass more quickly. We offer a product that reinforces physician-patient communication and enhances the office environment – at no cost to the practice.

How is the show updated every month?
Each month CNN produces a new program, which is delivered on a DVD in each office by our network of field technicians. These technicians also hand-deliver our promotional pieces, sponsor literature and clean clutter from the office. AccentHealth is currently installing 32” Flat Panel TV technology and in the coming year will be evaluating digital delivery options.

How do you measure your audience?
AccentHealth is a measurable, effective media source. We partner with world-class research companies to provide our sponsors with credible, actionable research results. Our research includes audience measurement, viewing behavior, and system compliance by Nielsen New Media, ad recall and attitudinal research by Roper Public Affairs & Media (GfK), and ROI research from IMS Health.

Can I target my TV campaign by physician specialty?
AccentHealth offers 3 distinct TV networks; General Health, primarily GPs and FPs; Young Family, primarily Pediatric and Ob-Gyn practices; and Silver, primarily IMs, GPs and cardiologists. AccentHealth can provide counts of specialists within our 3 TV networks, or perform a list match against your target doctors to evaluate how we can reach the specialists you desire. Health Panels allow for additional targeting in certain specialties (Endocrinologist, Cardiologist, Internal Medicine and others). Additionally we can provide literature distribution service, and professional fax service to a target specialty list of doctors.

Do you have product placement available for my brand within the show?
Programming and advertising messages are strictly separated within the show to maintain programming integrity.

Can I run a commercial on a spot basis?
We do offer Spot market opportunities at a minimum dollar commitment per market. Please call your account executive for further information.

How long is the show?
AccentHealth TV programming is a 1-hour loop. Because average office wait time as measured by Nielsen is 30 minutes, commercials are placed in each half hour of the show for maximum reach.

Do you accept standard television creative?
The Waiting Room TV Network typically airs standard :15, :30 or :60 second TV creative, but can accommodate, and even custom produce commercials of various lengths up to 2 minutes.

What is the lead time to book an order?
A 60-day lead time for all TV campaigns are required. Health Panel booking is due 8 weeks in advance of the program start.

What is the minimum commitment level for television?
The typical buy on AccentHealth TV is an annual schedule, with the exception of seasonal advertisers, that yields category exclusivity for the advertiser. Quarterly and monthly opportunities are also available.

[maxlharris]

Maybe this is the economist in me, but all commercials would be inherently insulting to your intelligence under these criteria. Any 15 second consumer message that enhances a benefit while ignoring costs would be there.

I hate to break this to everyone, but most of the world (wrongly) believes in the lipid hypothesis and the cholesterol hypothesis as well. So, is it the fault of General Mills for marketing towards that belief? Do they have a duty to market low carb products as "the real solution" into a market that is mostly not interested. Do they have a duty to push a "real solution" agenda while most people want a status quo product? That's a big philosophical, sunday dorm room, don't study for the chemistry midterm kind of conversation. The kind they don't have at big consumer product companies because they're too busy making products and money.

The drug companies and the nightly news people, on the other hand, are failing their public trust and insult more than my intelligence with every attempt to explain anything.

[gitfiddle]

I'm not a huge fan of Accent Health, either, but please let's not just routinely blame drug companies for everything. :)
Thanks for filling in the rest of the story, Pat. I don't routinely blame the drug industry, but that was my best guess because the ads greatly outweigh the content. I remind myself that I should never assume. The tips that deal with food are, as you say, low fat-ish but there were some good stress-relieving tips as well. My favorite was, "No is a complete sentence."

Max, you make a good point. That doesn't make me like commercials any better. Somebody has to pay the bills, though. ;)

[Hizzoner]

I laughed at the store the other day looking at Peter Pan peanut butter. The regular stuff was sitting right next to the "Low Sugar" version. You flip over to the label and there it is......the 30% difference.........2g instead of 3g. LOL

[Omlette]

Gabriel - there are too many commercials for me to even mention, but I wanted to comment on your watching the NBC news.

In the last couple of weeks I have caught parts of the Today show. The health lady that is on there, Joy, does one thing that I do like. Granted, she is probably still a low fatter, but here is what she says for people to do: For 30 days give up something, for instance, regular soda and do not replace it with dt. soda. Then the net 30 days, remove sweets from the diet. Then the next 30 days, remove fried foods.

[maxlharris]

There is not much inherently wrong with fried foods. There is much inherently wrong with coating a nice piece of anything with carbs, and there are oils which are a lot worse to fry in, but given a diet suitably low in carbs, there is no need to cut fried foods.

How about this progression.
1- remove sweets
2- remove sugared sodas
3- remove bread
4- remove starchy fruits and veggies
5- cook all meals at home.

Probably much healthier than anything anyone on the Today show is liable to ask you to do. (Of course, I don't seem to have a problem with SF sodas, so others might just want to cut all flavored bevs, or everything not wine... what would Jesus drink? Wine and water. Not that I'm big into what Jesus was up to).

[Inez]

Not that I expect commercials to supply a good education in nutrition (or medical issues for that matter) but it does concern me that a lot of people take for granted that they have some nutritional savvy just because they've absorbed the low-fat, vitamin-enriched mantra of the food advertisers. The nutrionists go along with it by suggesting, say, cereal as a good snack for kids because it's low-fat or Goldfish because they have a little calcium.