Advertising and Childhood Obesity

Posted on February 9, 2009 in Latest News

The modern day television ads with the animation, musical jingles are making kids crave high-calorie, low-nutritious food. Kids are influenced unknowingly through the advertisements aired during their favorite cartoon show or children show. The link between advertising and childhood obesity is strong, though we may not realize it.

How Does Advertising Influence Childhood Obesity?
The foods which are advertised on television are mostly high in calories, low in nutrition, full of sugar and fats. Kids can eat such foods once in a while. However, when kids eat them on a day-to-day basis, they can become obese

These television commercials are aired when the kids are available i.e. from 2 pm to 10 pm. The ads come along with their favorite cartoon shows, child-friendly shows, and afternoon shows etc. The ads influence children in the following ways:

• The advertisements have interesting action-filled visual effects, sound effects
• They are animated and dramatized
• Some ads offer a toy free along with some food
• The advertised foods are packed with bright, colorful pictures

Kids have difficult analyzing the dialogues and voice-overs. Hence, the above methods work effectively to influence them. Hence, don’t be surprised when your child asks for a particular food when you go to a supermarket

How can Parents Help?
A study by National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER) found out that if fast food commercials are banned in the United States, the number of overweight children can be reduced by 18%. Even though parents cannot control the advertisements, they can do the following to stop their influence:

• Get knowledgeable about healthy food choices such as fruits, vegetables, high-fiber foods, and make sure your kids start eating healthy
• Active kids become active adults. Hence, encourage them to go out and play games, sports which involve physical activity
• Set limits for television viewing, playing video games etc.
• Join your kids in a sports program in school, or other sports clubs etc.

Eating healthy and avoiding sedentary habits by being active is the only way to combat obesity. Keep your children safe from commercials by enforcing healthy eating habits in your home. This will keep your kids healthy and free from obesity

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