The Difficult Balance Between Entertainment and Education

Abstract

The development, content and potential health promoting effect of the Dutch documentary series, Voor dik & dun (“For thick and thin”) were investigated. This series was based on the entertainment–education (EE) strategy and designed to prevent overweight. Qualitative data were collected from three perspectives: those involved in the program development (in-depth interviews), health communication scientists (in-depth interviews), and viewers (focus groups). In addition, viewing figures and website statistics were collected. Results show that finding a proper balance between entertainment and education is difficult for those involved. Voor dik & dun was not very successful in creating this balance and did not reach its priority audience. Findings suggest that, to achieve the desired health-promoting effects, EE programs should focus first extensively on narrative engagement by means of entertainment and later on, when the viewer is engaged, try to educate by means of positive identification with transitional role models.