Audience reception of obesity texts

Q7. How might the target audience respond to and/ or be affected by the representation of your group in your chosen texts?

The Biggest Loser

The audience might have negotiated readings with the text, as they, like the competitiors on the show aspire to be thin. Therefore, the audience might have negotiated readings with the competitiors, as they are enduring physical and mental pain, in order to achieve thier goal.

In effect, the readings are important, as the audience can accept these stereotypes and give positive representations of obese people as being confident individuals who aspire to be slim.

Supersize vs Superskinny

In this programme, the audience have intentional readings with the obese characters who are instructed to try to eat healthy food such as salads, vegetable soups, smoothies and a host of healthy food.

By having an intended reading,the audience can identify with the obese person, as he/ she goes on a journey to try and become slimmer. Also, the audience can witness and get useful advice, such as dieting tips on how to become healthier by watching the programme.

Panorama: Taxing the Fat

In contrast to the other texts, the audience are intended to have oppositional readings against obesity, as it is a moral panic, due to the constant news stories on obesity and the number of people who are obese in the UK. Therefore, governments in UK and the US intend to solve this crisis, as it is ranked as the number 1 health concern in the UK and will need to be financially controlled, through the use of medical treatments.

Therefore, the documentary signfies how obesity needs to be controlled, by using different methods such as imposing taxes on junk food, which would, to some extent cut obesity by a huge amount.