Portrayal of health-related behaviours in popular UK television soap operas.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Evidence suggests that health-related story lines in popular television programmes may lead to increased viewer knowledge or behaviour change. However, little is currently known about the portrayal of common health-related behaviours on UK television soap operas.

Methods

The portrayal of 11 key health-related behaviours on the 4 most popular soap operas set and broadcast in the UK over 4 weeks in spring 2005 was assessed.

Results

Seven of the 11 behaviours of interest were recorded a total of 959 times during 32 h of programming (or 30 behaviours per programming hour). The behaviour most frequently recorded was alcohol-related behaviours, recorded 619 times (19.3 per programming hour). No instances of four behaviours of interest were observed: driving soon

SUBMITTER: Verma T 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2465750 | biostudies-literature | 2007 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature