Imagine this: children around the world are seated in front of the TV watching food commercials at the rate of more than five an hour. More than 70 percent of those commercials are for sugary foods, fast food, and other high-calorie items, each of which can contribute to childhood obesity.
Childhood obesity and excessive weight is a national problem. The National Center for Health Statistics reports that 17 percent of children are overweight. Further, overweight children quite often turn into overweight adults. They have an elevated risk for diabetes, heart disease, stroke, arthritis, and certain cancers, along with other ailments and diseases. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), part of the problem may be that American society has become “obesogenic,”. This is defined by situations and environments that boost increased consumption of food, unhealthful foods, and a sedentary lifestyle.
According to researchers at the University of California-Davis, that studied the kinds of food commercials seen by kids who watch English- and Spanish-language TV programs. During high viewing times for kids (Saturday mornings and weekday afternoons). Recordings were made of broadcasts on twelve networks, including children’s cable channels, networks that attract older youths, mainstream English-language channels, and the two highest rated Spanish language channels.
A total of 5,724 commercials were taped. Of these, 1,162 were food-related. Kids were shown an average of 5.2 food related commercials per hour. Of these commercials, more than 70 percent were for unhealthful items (foods with increased sugar and/or increased fat content), which add to childhood obesity. Thirty-four percent of these advertisements were for fast-food restaurants and convenience items.
The greatest percentage of food-related ads appeared on children’s networks, where the commercials were primarily for sugary cereals and sweets, high-fat foods, fast-food restaurant fare, and snacks. Likened with TV for a generalized audience, children’s networks exposed its viewers to 76 percent more food ads per hour than the other networks. Young people who watch TV on a children’s network during Saturday morning from 7 to 10 AM see approximately one food commercial per eight minutes.
Older children continue to be shown unhealthful food advertisements. The researchers observed programming such as the music videos offered by BET and MTV. They found that 80 percent of the MTV food advertisements were for fast food restaurants, sugary beverages, and sweets.
The authors of the study, which was published in the Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior, indicated that “Study after study has documented the adverse health effects of food advertising targeting children and adolescents.” They continued to say that “School- and family-based programs that have attempted to reduce children’s media use have shown promise.” But because children are shown food advertisements via other media, particularly the Internet, the authors suggest the creation of “nutrition-focused media literary interventions” to help young people translate the economic motives of food advertisers and the ways the industry uses to increase desire for their products. These efforts, and others, may help reduce the growing epidemic of childhood obesity.
Here is your free guide to healthful cooking. For more information about some of the causes of childhood obesity visit Facts About Childhood Obesity.
Tags: Adolescent Obesity Causes, body systems damaged by childhood obesity, causes of childhood obesity, facts about childhood obesity, facts from childhood, facts on childhood obesity, how to stop obesity, Weight Loss, what is childhood obesity, what is obesity
