and subjects which are intended to appeal to a certain market segment. These issues center on fitness, self-improvement, and topics of interest primarily to young women--a story on fitness, a quiz on sex, the problem of compulsive eating, topics about food, how women can manage money and love, and a warning about a drug used by women. Unquestionably, these covers are intended to appeal to young women concerned about these issues and who see the sort of women featured on the cover as good role models.
An analysis of the editorial content of the there magazines shows that the articles presented are of the same sort as are featured on the cover, addressing women's issues and concerns. The February issue begins with an article entitled "Sex, Health, and Pleasure," which is actually a sex survey of 2,000 women and men "to assess how their physical relationships affect their overall health an well-being" (p. 8). The article includes a questionnaire the reader can fill out to ascertain their own sexual health. Other health-related articles address fitness ("Stay fit and de-stress") and eating problems ("Fourteen strategies to end compulsive eating"). There is also a column by a woman who has had certain behavior problems over the years and who now believes that she is suffering from Tourette's syndrome and Obsessive Compulsive Disorder. There is also an article on "25 people who changed the way we eat, cook and think about food." Several articles are also included on makeup tips and skin care. Again, there is a clear effort to shape the magazine toward young women with concerns about their health and appearance.
The June issue has similar articles, beginning with an emphasis on concerns about eating with an article implying that what people consider "healthy" eating may not be healthy at all. The second article continues the health theme with a discussion of how to make the most of time during a physical workout. Women and...