Reading Between the Headlines

By Deborah Rees, R.D., L.D.

Month after month a new nutrition story hits the headlines. To the frustration of readers, often times the information blaring from the page seems to contradict that previously published. The reader is faced with a seemingly impossible choice. Which story to believe?

To make sense of this seeming confusion, consumers need to realize that each study reported by the media is only one tiny step toward scientific consensus. Not every study is going to agree with previous ones, thus conflicting headlines result.

The journalistic process also adds to consumer confusion. Most nutrition stories originate with researchers whose work makes the news. Newspapers often glean these stories from a wire service. The trouble is, the story the reader sees won't be as complete as the story that came over the wire. The last few paragraphs that put the study results in perspective for the reader might just be lopped off for space reasons.

How can consumers make sense of the seemingly conflicting findings on diet and health?

• First and foremost take headlines with a grain of salt! Realize that the purpose of a headline is to capture your attention. Headlines are usually cranked out by someone who has little or no knowledge of the subject.
• Realize that because editors have limited space, newspaper articles may not tell the whole story. An article extolling the virtues of antioxidants to reduce heart disease risk may fail to tell you that the very best way to reduce risk is to lose weight and exercise.
• Consider the source of information. Industry-funded reports should be viewed with caution. Information from peer-reviewed publications such as the Journal of the American Medical Association or The New England Journal of Medicine is a good indication of credibility.
• Compare yourself to the study subjects before making sweeping changes in your dietary habits. If the study subjects have four legs and you have two legs, the results may not be applicable to you. You might also want to take the results lightly if the study subjects are young, overweight males and you are a middle-aged, slender female.
• Look at the big picture. Realize that dietary recommendations are based on a compendium of information, not on a single study. Just because a particular study comes up with a certain conclusion, doesn't change all that's come before it.

Don't Give Up!

The sometimes conflicting dietary advice is indeed confusing, but that shouldn't cause you to give up healthful eating habits entirely. Keep in mind that diet basics haven't changed much in the past 20 years. Over this time period, leading health authorities and government agencies have been issuing pretty consistent dietary guidance - eat more grains, fruits and vegetables and less fat.