Page 1 of 7

Week 3

Nutrition GSCI 1045 (George Brown College)

Nutrition & The Media

Bad ads- Vitamin doughnuts, cola for babies, 55% of your protein from McDonalds
Welcome to module 3
This week we are going to have a look at Nutrition as seen in the media. What's true?
What's False? Just who can you believe? Who should you trust? How can you know?
Go to McDonalds for a meal and get "More than 55% of your daily protein needs!" " For pep
and vigor, try Vitamin Donuts! " "For a better start in life, start cola earlier!" Serve your baby
Coca Cola, 7 Up or Hires' Root Beer!
Now you might be laughing right about now, but these claims were made in advertisements
in all seriousness. At the time these ads were made, people weren't laughing. They may
actually have believed the ads; and just as those people weren't laughing or questioning,
right now we could look in the media and find claims that are just as crazy and maybe even
crazier.
It's time to question everything!
In this module we'll give you a few key tools to start you on your nutritional investigative
journey. You'll practice evaluating the credibility of magazine and newspaper articles, videos
and journal articles. This in-module practice will help you with this week's discussion posting
where you will find an online nutritional video and discuss whether or not it passes the
reliability test.
Things to do this module:
Read Essentials of Nutrition text Chapter 2, section 2.9
Read and review the contents of the learning module
Complete the various activities that include reading resources, watching videos and
evaluating different nutritional information
Check your learning by completing the module practice test
Complete the Discussion Forum Posting - Response and meaningful replies to at least 2
classmates by Friday at 11:30 pm.
Continue working on your Diet Analysis Assignment.
word written
 Page 2 of 7

-Let's begin
What is a Reputable Source?
Good vs Garbage Nutrition Resources
cartoon showing newscaster says blogs are not reliable, but cartoon says neither is he.
Daily, we are bombarded with the latest in nutrition news and depending upon which type
of media you regularly use, watch or read, you can be subjected to dozens of different
nutrition tips, images, stories, testimonies, studies, ads, blogs, etc. in mere minutes.
Moreover, these bytes of information can sometimes contradict one another, making it
extremely confusing and frustrating when deciding upon what to believe and what not to,
literally and figuratively, buy into. This is why it is crucial that we be armed with the critical
thinking skills to differentiate between the good nutrition resources or credible content, and
the garbage ones.
Quality Control Check List
Ask yourself the following questions the next time you come across a piece of nutritional
information.:
Ask:
• Who is the source? Is it a newspaper, tabloid, magazine or published journal article?
• What are the author’s credentials? Are they a dietitian or have an educational
background in nutrition? Where did they obtain their education?
• Who is the article, ad, blog, etc. funded or supported by? Is it a not for profit
organization? Or will the authors financially benefit from the outcome/use?
• Is there conclusive scientific evidence that supports the claim? If yes, what are the
sources used or referenced?
• If it is a study, were there a substantial number of participants? Were the results
repeated and the outcome the same? Who was the study funded by?
• Is it a nutrition blog run by a self-proclaimed “nutrition expert” who uses testimonies
from satisfied users?
• Is it a reputable source, such as a government funded and regulated website like Health
Canada or a website that ends in “.org”?
 Page 3 of 7

• Are you interested in researching the reliability of particular foods or supplements in

curing what ails you? Check out this interesting interactive website Snake Oil
Supplements.
http://www.informationisbeautiful.net/visualizations/snake-oil-supplements/
On the next page, watch an interesting video and learn more about How to Find Reliable
Sources.
How to Find Sources of Reliable Nutrition Information
o How to Find Sources of Reliable Nutrition Information
o Take a few minutes to review the video below on Evaluating Sources for Credibility
URL: https://youtu.be/PLTOVoHbH5c
o Review Points on Finding Reliable Nutrition Information
o Consider the Source!
o Testimonials or personal accounts are not a reliable source of information
o Government and universities are reliable sources for nutritional information.
o Scientific Method - University Research is subjected to the scientific method -a
systematic set of procedures that scientists follow to gain knowledge.
o Peer-review process- University Research is reviewed and scrutinized by others in their
field.
o Reputable Journals contain Peer-reviewed studies that can be published in reputable
journals and reputable newsletters - are easier to read yet reputable newsletters
including that Tufts Health and Nutrition Letter and the Harvard Health Letter.
o There also are reliable organizations such as the American Dietetic Association and the
American Medical Association. in Canada, a few examples are Dietitians of Canada, Eat
Right Ontario, Heart and Stroke Foundation, Canadian Diabetes Association
o Ask yourself - Is it too good to be true?
o Check the author's credentials.
A registered dietitian, RD is a professional who has a degree in nutrition related field and
is certified to provide nutritional advice.
o Is something being sold? --If so, read the information with caution.
Nutrition Information on the Internet
Tips for Searching Nutrition Information on the Internet
Wendy J Shiff in the textbook Nutrition for Healthy Living gives these tips for finding
reliable information online. We have adapted her work to include relevant Canadian
sources.
To be a careful consumer of Internet sources of information:
1. Use multiple sites, especially government sites, such as Health Canada (www.hc-
sc.gc.ca/index-eng.php) the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
(https://www.cdc.gov) as well as the sites of nationally recognized nutrition- or
health-related associations such as the Dietitians of Canada
(www.dietitians.ca/) Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (www.eatright.org) and
Heart and Stroke Foundation( http://www.heartandstroke.com/).
2. Rely primarily on sites that are managed or reviewed by a group of qualified health
professionals. “Blogs” might be fun and interesting to read, but they are not
necessarily reliable.
3. Look for the Health on the Net symbol at the bottom of the main page of the
website. The Health on the Net Foundation is a nonprofit, international organization
that promotes the HONcode, a set of principles for standardizing the reliability of
 Page 4 of 7

health information on the Internet. Currently, website sponsors are not required to
follow HONcode standards. For more information about HONcode, you can visit the
organization's’ website (www.hon.ch/).
4. Do not trust information at a site that does not indicate valid sources, such as well-
respected peer-reviewed scientific journals or nationally-recognized universities or
medical centers. Contributing authors and their credentials should be identified;
when they are, perform an online search of the scientific journals, as well as the
authors’ names and credentials to determine their validity.
5. Do not trust a site that includes attacks on the trustworthiness of the medical or
scientific establishment.
6. Avoid sites that provide online diagnoses and treatments. Be wary of commercial
sites ( * .com) with links to government sites or the sites of well-known medical,
nutrition, or scientific associations. An unreliable * .com site can be linked to reliable
sites without having received their endorsements.
7. Avoid providing your personal information at the site because its confidentiality may
not be protected.
Source: Schiff, Wendy. (2008) Nutrition for Healthy Living, Chapter 2: Evaluating Nutrition
Information http://www.mhhe.com/nutrition/schiff1e/schiff_ch02.pdf

Reliable Sources
Organizations Active in Nutrition Policy, Research and Advocacy

Before moving on to the next pages of the module, have a quick look at some sources of
reliable nutritional information:

1. Health Canada. Health Canada, http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/index-eng.php, is the Federal

department that helps Canadians improve their health. Its website also provides
information about health-related legislation
2. Dietitians of Canada. Dietitians of Canada, http://www.dietitians.ca/, is the national
professional association for dietitians. It provides trusted nutrition information to
Canadians and health professionals.
3. Public Health Agency of Canada. The Public Health Agency of Canada http://www.phac-
aspc.gc.ca/Promotes and protects the health of Canadians through leadership,
partnership, innovation and action in public health.
4. Healthy Eating-Public Health Agency Canada http://www.phac-aspc.gc.ca/chn-rcs/nhe-
nsa-eng.php information on nutrition and healthy eating
5. Healthy Canadians http://healthycanadians.gc.ca/ easy-to-understand health and safety
information for Canadians and health professionals.
6. Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada Agriculture and Agri-Food
Canada http://www.agr.gc.ca/, a department of the Government of Canada responsible
for technology, policies and programs for security of the food system. Research includes
human health through wellness through food, nutrition and innovative products and the
quality of food and the safety of the food system.
7. Canadian Food Inspection Agency http://www.inspection.gc.ca/ Mitigating risks to food
safety, and the health and safety of Canadians is the driving force behind the design and
development of CFIA programs. The CFIA, in collaboration and partnership with industry,
 Page 5 of 7

consumers, and federal, provincial and municipal organizations, works to protect

Canadians from preventable health risks related to food and zoonotic diseases.
8. Canadian Public Health Association http://www.cpha.ca/ national, independent, not-
for-profit, voluntary association representing public health in Canada. CPHA’s members
believe in universal and equitable access to the basic conditions which are necessary to
achieve health for all Canadians.
9. Canadian Nutrition Societyhttps://cns-scn.ca/ The Society has identified key goals and
objectives in four areas: Outreach to Nutrition Professionals and Scientists, the Nutrition
Industry, Government/the Public and to Trainees
10. Canadian Medical Association https://www.cma.ca national, voluntary association of
physicians that advocates on behalf of its members and the public for access to high-
quality health care. The CMA also provides leadership and guidance to physicians.
11. Canadian Diabetes Association https://www.diabetes.ca/ leads the fight against
diabetes by helping those affected by diabetes live healthy lives, preventing the onset
and consequences of diabetes, and discovering a cure.
12. World Health Organization http://www.who.int/en/ role is to direct and coordinate
international health within the United Nations’ system.
13. The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (AND). The AND promotes scientific evidenced-
based, research-supported food and nutrition related information on its
website, http://www.eatright.org. It is focused on informing the public about recent
scientific discoveries and studies, weight-loss concerns, food safety topics, nutrition
issues, and disease prevention.
14. US Department of Agriculture Food and Nutrition Information Center. The USDA
site http://fnic.nal.usda.gov has more than twenty-five hundred links to dietary,
nutrition, diet and disease, weight and obesity, food-safety and food-labeling, packaging,
dietary supplement and consumer questions sites. Using this interactive site, you can
find tips and resources on how to eat a healthy diet, my Foodapedia, and a food planner,
among other sections.
15. Department of Health and Human Services. The HHS website, HealthFinder.gov,
provides credible information about healthful lifestyles and the latest in health news. A
variety of online tools are available to assist with food-planning, weight maintenance,
physical activity, and dietary goals. You can also find healthful tips for all age groups, tips
for preventing disease, and on daily health issues in general.
16. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (CDC) The Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention http://www.cdc.gov/ distributes an online newsletter called CDC Vital Signs.
This newsletter is a valid and credible source for up-to-date public health information
and data regarding food, nutrition, cholesterol, high blood pressure, obesity, teenage
drinking, and tobacco usage.
17. Health on the Net https://www.healthonnet.org/ nongovernmental
organization servicing the public, medical and web publishers, promotes and guides the
deployment of useful and reliable online health information, and its appropriate and
efficient use.
18. Harvard School of Public
Health http://www.hsph.harvard.edu/nutritionsource/index.html the School’s
faculty members—frequently working in collaboration with others at Harvard and
around the world—have made landmark contributions revolutionizing public health.
 Page 6 of 7

Nutritional Article 1: Analysis

Critical Analysis of Nutritional Articles
OK, now that you've learned all about how to evaluate nutritional information, it's time to
put that knowledge into action. On this page we have posted two different articles to
evaluate. Doing this exercise will help you with the Discussion posting that is due this Friday.
Here's what to do
o On this module page and the next, read each article carefully
o Decide if each article meets the standards provided in the checklist on the previous
pages. Is it credible, or not credible?
o Using a point-by-point analysis based on the checklists, write a rationale to support your
decision.
o Once you have done your own analysis, click the Hide/Show Button to see how we
evaluated the articles.
Article 1: Coca-Cola is the Real Thing

Rehel, J. (2013, January 8). Coca-Cola is the real thing for treating gastrointestinal blockages,
Greece study says. National Post. Retrieved 4 December 2015,
from https://nationalpost.com/health/coca-cola-is-the-real-thing-for-treating-
gastrointestinal-blockages-greece-study-says

Nutritional Article 2: Analysis

Critical Analysis of Nutritional Article 2:
"Is Sugar Toxic?"
Here's what to do
o On this module page, read the article carefully
o Decide if the article meets the standards provided in the checklist on the previous pages.
Is it credible, or not credible?
o Using a point-by-point analysis based on the checklists, write a rationale to support your
decision.
o Once you have done your own analysis, click the Hide/Show Button to see how we
evaluated the article.
Read Article 2: Is Sugar Toxic?
Taubes, Gary. (2011, April 16). Is Sugar Toxic? New York Times. Retrieved November 21,
2015,
from http://www.nytimes.com/2011/04/17/magazine/mag-17Sugar-t.html

Evaluation of Nutritional Video 2

Critical Analysis of Nutritional Video 2
Here's what to do
o Watch the video carefully
o Decide if the video meets the standards provided in the checklist on the previous pages.
Is it credible, or not credible? Why?
o Using a point-by-point analysis based on the checklists ,write a rationale to support your
decision.
o Once you have done your own analysis, click the Hide/Show Button to see how we
evaluated the video.
 Page 7 of 7

Video 2: How Sugar Affects The Brain

URL: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lEXBxijQREo
YouTube, (2014). How sugar affects the brain - Nicole Avena. TedEd. Retrieved 4 December
2015, from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lEXBxijQREo

Evaluating Journal Articles

Critical Analysis of Journal Article
OK, now that you've had some practice evaluating articles and videos, let's put those same
ideas into evaluating information from journals.
But before we start, let's discuss some factors relevant to evaluating journal articles.
Evaluating Journal articles is a bit different from evaluating articles in newspapers,
magazines or blogs.
1. Ask yourself these questions when evaluating journal articles:
2. Is it a reputable, peer reviewed journal?
3. What are the author’s credentials? Are they a dietitian or have an educational
background in nutrition? Where did they obtain their education?
4. When was the article published? How many times has the article been cited since
publication?
5. Who is the article funded or supported by? Is it a not-for-profit organization? Or will the
authors financially benefit from the outcome/use?
6. Is there conclusive scientific evidence that supports the claim? If yes, what are the
sources used or referenced?
7. If it is a study, were there a substantial number of participants? Were the results
repeated and the outcome the same? Who was the study funded by?
Journal Evaluation Exercise:
Here's what to do
o Review the journal article carefully.
o Looking at the key points mentioned in the journal checklist decide if the article meets
the standards provided. Is it credible, or not credible? Why?
o Using a point-by-point analysis based on the checklist, write a rationale to support your
decision.
o Once you have done your own analysis, click the Hide/Show Button to see how we
evaluated the article.
Journal Article: Fast Food Fever

Myles, I. (2014). Fast food fever: Reviewing the impacts of the Western diet on
immunity. Nutrition Journal, 13-
61. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4074336/