Intentional Media: How Film Contributes to Health Conversations

Health influencers today are bombarding audiences with edited bodies, unrealistic eating habits, and grueling workout routines online. It doesn’t help that every creator has a different approach, trick, hack, for achieving an “ideal” size. With fast and conflicting messages, consumers interested in health have a hard time knowing what to try and when to try it.

Films have the resources to combat this influx of information with quality research. With educational insights about food, dietary truthfulness, and inclusive body images, film can contribute hard-hitting truth to the entertainment industry’s health conversation.

Films educate viewers about the ingredients in their food

Education on Ingredients in Film

As an intentional medium, films have the time and resources to conduct thorough research and interviews regarding healthy eating practices. Now that more people are becoming aware of toxins in heavily processed foods, the marketing game for many companies has adapted to make their foods appear more natural than they really are. Films should respond to this by informing audiences of what the words on the back of a label really mean, and which regulatory certifications are more meaningful than others. Filmmakers can conduct interviews with industry experts to encourage reputable content and contrast the noise on social platforms. In doing so, buyers will have trustworthy entertainment that educates, allowing them to be better informed about the choices they are making.

Conversations About Diets for Informed Choices

Alongside the food scare, the rapidity of social media fosters breeding grounds for a new dietary trend almost daily, making it hard for someone aspiring for better health to get their footing. Films can take the time to divulge practiced diets without bias, showing the benefits and restrictions of each one. They can also platform different opinions on the matter, fostering conversation that enables viewers to draw their own conclusions. As social media tends to overwhelm consumers with too much information to truly learn anything, informative documentaries can give holistic answers to dietary questions.

Uplifting Health Instead of Trends

Because so much of social media is edited, it’s hard to ever know what a realistic body looks like. By showing real people without filters, film can function as a media that grounds audiences, rather than tricks them. Films can also contribute to the health and fitness industry by reminding viewers that health looks different on different bodies—one ideal body weight is not the only ideal body weight. Refusing to filter, edit, and mainstream body shapes, film can disrupt misinformation and work to normalize personalized health. 

Films use research and inclusion to promote holistic health rather than trend-based practices

Film Contributes to Health Conversations

Film contributes to health conversations with holistic, intentional messaging. As a contrast to social media, film sets itself apart by adding intentional messages that help others make educated choices about their health journey. By shedding light on ingredients in foods, diets, and body image, film adds to the conversation without overwhelming viewers. As an effective guide, film can work against the noise produced otherwise.