Portal de Periódicos da CAPES

Attracting Attention: Parent Perceptions of Coverlines on HomeStyles Guides

2016; Wiley; Volume: 30; Issue: S1 Linguagem: Inglês

10.1096/fasebj.30.1_supplement.896.10

1530-6860

Jennifer Martin‐Biggers, Colleen Delaney, Gayle Povis‐Alleman, Nobuko Hongu, John Worobey, Carol Byrd‐Bredbenner,

Journalism and Media Studies

This study examined parent perceptions of coverlines used on 12 colorful 4‐page mini‐magazine‐style informational guides designed to improve weight‐related home environment and lifestyle practices in families with preschool children. Coverlines are short phrases designed to attract attention and motivate individuals to read articles in magazines. Health communication researchers developed coverlines based on results from content analysis of popular women and parenting magazine coverlines, asked 77 mothers of young children to rate how much each coverline would motivate them to read a short article related to the coverline, then selected the most highly rated coverlines for placement on guide covers. Examples of some highly rated coverlines are: “Breakfast is for champions! Feed your little super heroes”, “Secrets for successful family meals”, “Surprising links between family playtime and health”, “Who knew? Fruits and veggies are the new power foods”, “Make mealtime memories your kids will treasure”, “Smart, no‐cost family playtime ideas”, “Eat, play, sleep and love your family like never before”, and “Brilliant ideas for meals without squeals”. Coverlines were inserted in colorful text blocks positioned on the full‐color photograph forming the cover of the informational guides. Cognitive interviews were conducted with 117 English‐ and 112 Spanish‐speaking parents to determine their feelings about the coverlines and whether they believed the coverlines would make them and parents like them want to read the guide. The cognitive interviews of the coverlines were conducted after parents had read a guide. Almost all parents felt the coverlines would make them and other parents want to read the information in the guides. Parents also described the coverlines as “attention‐grabbing” and “catchy”. Participants made a few minor semantic change suggestions. Using motivating coverlines has the potential to increase intention and desire to read health promotion materials. Health communicators should consider incorporating evidence‐based, consumer‐tested coverlines in written materials to pique consumer interest. Support or Funding Information USDA NIFA #2011‐68001‐30170