"Fat, Furious, and Forever Wanting Food": Prader-Willi Syndrome in Major Newspapers, 2000-2005

Abstract

This study examines media representations of persons with Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS), a rare, complex condition caused by an error on Chromosome 15. Articles appearing in major U.S. and international newspapers from January, 2000 to December, 2005 were included in the study (N = 68). Findings show that while some stories portrayed the syndrome in a more positive light, most reports were overwhelmingly negative or mostly negative, focusing on severe issues related to food-seeking behaviors, obesity, cognition, and behavior. Common stereotypes used to portray persons with PWS aligned with those often used to describe persons with disabilities and obese persons, even in the stories coded as positive or mostly positive. In the more negative portrayals, the obesity or "eating disorder" of the person with PWS was often a focus, illustrating the stereotype of the fat person as deviant. Some overall trends and patterns in U.S. versus international news outlets were also observed.