摘要：Objectives. We assessed news media framing of New York City’s proposed regulation to prohibit the sale of sugar-sweetened beverages greater than 16 ounces. Methods. We conducted a quantitative content analysis of print and television news from within and outside New York City media markets. We examined support for and opposition to the portion-size cap in the news coverage from its May 31, 2012, proposal through the appellate court ruling on July 31, 2013. Results. News coverage corresponded to key events in the policy’s evolution. Although most stories mentioned obesity as a problem, a larger proportion used opposing frames (84%) than pro-policy frames (36%). Mention of pro-policy frames shifted toward the policy’s effect on special populations. The debate’s most prominent frame was the opposing frame that the policy was beyond the government’s role (69%). Conclusions. News coverage within and outside the New York City media market was more likely to mention arguments in opposition to than in support of the portion-size cap. Understanding how the news media framed this issue provides important insights for advocates interested in advancing similar measures in other jurisdictions. Sugar-sweetened beverage (SSB) consumption has increased concurrent with obesity and continues to represent a large source of added sugar in the US diet. 1,2 In response to rising SSB consumption, US cities and states have considered implementing various strategies—including legislation and regulation. 3,4 Strategies directed at SSB consumption have largely focused on limiting the availability of these products in specific environments (e.g., schools) or by imposing taxes on SSBs. 5 Another recent policy example is New York City’s SSB portion-size cap. 6 In January 2012, the New York City Mayor’s Office convened a task force to develop obesity prevention and control strategies. 6 On May 31, 2012, the task force announced the SSB portion-size cap, a proposed regulation that would amend the New York City Health Code, restricting portions greater than 16 ounces of select SSBs from being sold in restaurants, food carts, convenience stores, and movie theaters. 7 The regulation included nonalcoholic beverages with more than 25 calories per 8 ounces and those with less than 50% milk or milk substitute. 7 The New York City Board of Health adopted it on September 13, 2012. 8 It was challenged by a lawsuit brought by organizations representing racial/ethnic minority groups and labor and business associations in October 2012. 9 A New York state court forbade its enforcement on March 12, 2013, 1 day before its scheduled implementation. 9 An appellate court upheld the decision on July 30, 2013. 10 New York’s highest court invalidated the policy on June 26, 2014. 11 Consistent with the New York City portion-size cap experience, jurisdictions throughout the United States have faced difficulty implementing food and beverage policies. One factor that influences policy development and enactment is framing in the news media. 12,13 Framing involves “selecting some aspects of a perceived reality and making them more salient . . . to promote a particular problem definition . . . or treatment recommendation.” 14 (p52) As illustrated in tobacco and alcohol control, 15–20 framing can be strategically used in political debates to influence the views of decision-makers and the public. 21 The volume of news coverage and framing are important before and during consideration of a policy change. 16–20,22 The amount of attention and the nature of how an issue is covered by the media have been shown to both hinder and promote policy enactment 16–20 with 1 study finding that lack of voter support for a tobacco tax was associated with news coverage. 19 Framing in the news media can shape opinions of appropriate solutions for public health problems such as obesity. 13,23 However, little is known regarding the framing of policies directed at adult SSB consumption. Niederdeppe et al. explored the arguments surrounding SSB taxes in the news media and found that the news source was associated with the proportion of pro- versus anti-tax arguments, with local outlets less likely than national outlets to include anti-tax arguments. 24 In addition, Democrat-endorsing newspapers were more likely to cover SSB taxes than were Republican-endorsing newspapers. 24 To date, no study has examined news coverage of an SSB portion-size cap policy. To fill this gap, we collected and analyzed news media coverage of New York City’s policy. Specifically, we examined how the news media described the portion-size cap policy, the use of supportive and opposing frames, and whether use of these frames shifted over time. Finally, we examined framing by different stakeholders.
