Good news from the realm of media influences on childhood obesity. Children are seeing fewer advertisements for food on television shows, according to new research from the Institute for Health Research and Policy.
- Study leaders Lisa Powell, Glen Szczpka and Frank Chaloupka analyzed Nielsen Media Research television ratings for children and adolescents between the years 2003 and 2007.
- Preschoolers were watching 14% fewer food ads, and ages 6 to 11 years old, nearly 4% fewer.
- However, food ads were slightly up for teenagers by 3.7%. Ads for candy bars and cookies were down by 41% for preschoolers, almost 30% for 6 to 11-year-olds, and 12% for teenagers.
- Ads for bottled water increased but those for sugar-sweetened soft drinks were down.
African-American children were exposed to 1.5 times more television ads for foods because they watch more television than other ethnic groups.
This study appears in the Archives of Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine.
Labels: television, junk food, advertising, media influences
Posted By: CRC Health
