Journal article
The extent to which the public health ‘war on obesity’ reflects the ethical values and principles of critical health promotion: a multimedia critical discourse analysis
Health Promotion Journal of Australia, Vol.26(3), pp.246-254
2015
Abstract
Issue addressed: The discipline of health promotion is responsible for implementing strategies within weight-related public health initiatives (WR-PHI). It is imperative that such initiatives be subjected to critical analysis through a health promotion ethics lens to help ensure ethical health promotion practice. Methods: Multimedia critical discourse analysis was used to examine the claims, values, assumptions, power relationships and ideologies within Australian WR-PHI. The Health Promotion Values and Principles Continuum was used as a heuristic to evaluate the extent to which the WR-PHI reflected the ethical values of critical health promotion: active participation of people in the initiative; respect for personal autonomy; beneficence; non-maleficence; and strong evidential and theoretical basis for practice. Results: Ten initiatives were analysed. There was some discourse about the need for participation of people in the WR-PHI, but people were routinely labelled as 'target groups' requiring 'intervention'. Strong evidence of a coercive and paternalistic discourse about choice was identified, with minimal attention to respect for personal autonomy. There was significant emphasis on the beneficiaries of the WR-PHI but minimal attention to the health benefits, and nothing about the potential for harm. Discourse about the evidence of need was objectivist, and there was no discussion about the theoretical foundations of the WR-PHI. Conclusion: The WR-PHI were not reflective of the ethical values and principles of critical health promotion. So what?: Health promotion researchers and practitioners engaged in WR-PHI should critically reflect on the extent to which they are consistent with the ethical aspects of critical health promotion practice.
Details
- Title
- The extent to which the public health ‘war on obesity’ reflects the ethical values and principles of critical health promotion: a multimedia critical discourse analysis
- Authors
- Lily O'Hara (Author) - Emirates College for Advanced Education, United Arab EmiratesJane A Taylor (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast - Faculty of Science, Health, Education and EngineeringMargaret Barnes (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast - Faculty of Science, Health, Education and Engineering
- Publication details
- Health Promotion Journal of Australia, Vol.26(3), pp.246-254
- Publisher
- Australian Health Promotion Association
- Date published
- 2015
- DOI
- 10.1071/HE15046
- ISSN
- 1036-1073; 2201-1617
- Copyright note
- Copyright © 2015 Australian Health Promotion Association. Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
- Organisation Unit
- University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland; School of Health and Sport Sciences - Legacy; School of Nursing, Midwifery and Paramedicine - Legacy; School of Health and Behavioural Sciences - Legacy; School of Health - Public Health
- Language
- English
- Record Identifier
- 99449236802621
- Output Type
- Journal article
Metrics
223 File views/ downloads
941 Record Views
InCites Highlights
These are selected metrics from InCites Benchmarking & Analytics tool, related to this output
- Collaboration types
- International collaboration
- Web Of Science research areas
- Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
This output has contributed to the advancement of the following goals:
Source: InCites