Solving Childhood Obesity with Drugs

Analysis:

This story is a typical example of the health related stories seen on the local news in that the focus is on a product rather than an issue. Often, stories are aired promoting a new medication. Undoubtedly, this is in many cases due to the PR efforts of the drug manufacturers. While it is impossible to say conclusively that this particular story is a video news release, it is quite likely that the footage in this story was provided by the drug manufacturer as part of a PR effort.

This story does not give the viewer any information explaining why childhood obesity is on the rise. There is no information about unhealthy eating and exercise habits among youth. Nor is any information given as to the role of commercial media in promoting junk food and high fat/high calorie food to youth.

Story:

WOOD TV 8 News reader – Our children are becoming so overweight and the problem is so widespread that weight loss drugs are now being approved for teenagers. The latest research shows that this drug orlistat or xenical does indeed help prevent the worsening of obesity in children. More than a quarter of patients taking orlistat had at least a 5% decrease in body mass index. This expert said he saw a doubling of weight loss over just that one year period.

Expert/Doctor – I have used it in selected patients and some of them have gotten a lot of help from it. Sometimes it is just enough to give them a boost to feel their getting a result that helps them stay with the diet and exercise plan.

WOOD TV 8 News reader – The problem is that the drug is not indicated for longer than one year’s use so that after the drug is stopped the tendency is that the patient regains the weight.

Total Time – 49 seconds