Calories in Context: Conceptual Metaphors and Consumers' Perception and Use of Calorie Information.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently made changes to the nutrition facts label so that calories will be emphasized over all other nutrient information (U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), 2016a, August 3). In light of calories' increased visibility, strategic health communicators need to understand both how individuals perceive calorie information and how calories influence consumption decisions. Therefore, a qualitative study was conducted to analyze the metaphors that structure consumers' thoughts about calorie information and food choices. In-depth interviews were conducted with 34 women from diverse racial/ethnic and socioeconomic backgrounds. Through the interviews and subsequent thematic analysis, metaphors were gathered that explained perceptions of different kinds of calories and how calories function in the diet. Five conceptual metaphors were uncovered. The metaphors individuals used varied based on their eating paradigms, and the metaphors were related to different approaches to consumption decisions. The implications of using these different calorie metaphors for translational communication interventions are further discussed.

Social Media Use in Emergency Response to Natural Disasters: A Systematic Review With a Public Health Perspective.

Social media research during natural disasters has been presented as a tool to guide response and relief efforts in the disciplines of geography and computer sciences. This systematic review highlights the public health implications of social media use in the response phase of the emergency, assessing (1) how social media can improve the dissemination of emergency warning and response information during and after a natural disaster, and (2) how social media can help identify physical, medical, functional, and emotional needs after a natural disaster. We surveyed the literature using 3 databases and included 44 research articles. We found that analyses of social media data were performed using a wide range of spatiotemporal scales. Social media platforms were identified as broadcasting tools presenting an opportunity for public health agencies to share emergency warnings. Social media was used as a tool to identify areas in need of relief operations or medical assistance by using self-reported location, with map development as a common method to visualize data. In retrospective analyses, social media analysis showed promise as an opportunity to reduce the time of response and to identify the individuals' location. Further research for misinformation and rumor control using social media is needed.