Messages about Foods in Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone : Considering their Implications for Youth Health

This paper explores messages about foods in Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone , the first book of J. K. Rowling’s popular Harry Potter series. This book is widely read by today’s youth, and as such, the food‐related content may help shape their expectations about what foods are desirable. Of interest was how frequently nutrient‐dense and nutrient‐poor foods are depicted, and with what associated affect, whether positive, neutral, or negative. All mentions of foods and beverages in the book were identified, counted, and coded into broader categories such as sweets, vegetables, and alcoholic and nonalcoholic beverages. Each food reference was coded for affect. The food category most frequently depicted, and most often with positive affect, was sweets. Other foods, such as vegetables, were depicted less frequently and less often with positive affect. The implications of these food messages to preadolescents’ and adolescents’ health are considered.