Childhood Obesity - Do you have an overweight child? We offer tips to help your child lose weight and get fit!

The My Overweight Child blog will help you keep informed about the latest research, findings, and resources available to parents of overweight or obese kids. There are many knowledgeable people working on the increasingly dire problem of childhood obesity - and we want to give parents a place where they can check in regularly to see the latest studies and tips available to help you help your child lose weight and maintain a healthy lifestyle.

We invite you to add your comments - if you have feedback for the blog, would like some specific topics covered, or you just want to share your experience as a parent dealing with childhood obesity.

Monday, November 09, 2009

Food Commercials Common on Children's Networks

With childhood obesity continuing to plague nations throughout the world, a wide range of causes and solutions are being explored. Recently, a team of researchers from the University of California-Davis studied the type and frequency of commercials on children’s networks.

The UCD study appeared in the November/December edition of the Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior. A Nov. 4 press release included the following details about the research team's findings:

When compared to television for a general audience, children's networks in this study exposed young viewers to 76 percent more food commercials per hour than did the other networks, with the Saturday morning 7-10 a.m. time slot being more saturated with food commercials.
Out of 5,724 commercials recorded, 1,162 were food-related, with 91.2 percent of food promotions in English, and 8.7% in Spanish. Only 1 commercial was bilingual.
Overall, nearly 1 in 5 advertisements was for a food or nutrition-related product, with 5.2 food advertisements presented every hour.
Fast-food restaurants, sugary food, chips/crackers, and sugar-added beverages collectively accounted for more than 70 percent of food commercials.
34 percent of the commercials were for ''food on the run,'' fast-food restaurants and convenience food.

"Approximately 7.7 food commercials per hour appeared in programming on the children's networks," the release notes, "which is approximately one food commercial every 8 minutes."

Labels: advertising, commercials, television

Wednesday, September 30, 2009

Online Games Influence Kids' Food Choices

Researchers have revealed that the content of online videogames can influence a child's food choices -- for better or for worse.

Researchers with Georgetown University asked nine-years-olds to play one of two different versions of a videogame.
In one version, the idea was to make a character eat less nutritious foods, such as potato chips, soda, candy and chocolate chip cookies.
The second version rewarded the children with points if their characters ate healthy foods like fruits and vegetables.

"Within only 10 minutes of exposure to the videogames, our results revealed that children selected whatever snacks were being marketed by the games, whether they were healthy or not," the researchers reported in a July 14 ScienceDaily article.

The Georgetown study was published in the Archives of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine.

Labels: advertising, nutrition, video_games

Friday, September 18, 2009

'Wild Things' to Join Fight Against Childhood Obesity

Characters from the classic children’s book “Where the Wild Things Are” are getting involved in the fight against childhood obesity. The Department of Health and Human Services is working with Warner Brothers to develop public service announcements.

"The campaign aims to highlight the health benefits of exercise and physical activities, while encouraging children to begin having their own 'Wild Rumpus,' just like the main character Max in Maurice Sendak’s book. Each ad ends with a call to action by asking 'The Wild is out there; did you play today?'" (Source: RedOrbit)

The ads will also include a new website address: www.smallstep.gov, where parents can find playtime ideas and information on physical activity and healthy eating.

Labels: advertising, prevention

Monday, August 31, 2009

Could Fast Food Ban Cut Childhood Obesity Rates?

A team from the National Bureau of Economic Research has found that banning fast-food advertising in the United States could result in an 18 percent drop in childhood obesity rates. Despite that, researchers question the practicality of imposing such sweeping regulation.

The Reuters news service reported on this research in a Nov. 19, 2008 article:

For their study, funded in part by the federal government, [lead researcher economist Shin-Yi Chou of Lehigh University] and colleagues used data on nearly 13,000 children from the 1979 Child-Young Adult National Longitudinal Survey of Youth and the 1997 National Longitudinal Survey of Youth, both issued by the U.S. Department of Labor.

"The advertising measure used is the number of hours of spot television fast-food restaurant advertising messages seen per week," they wrote in the Journal of Law and Economics.

"Our results indicate that a ban on these advertisements would reduce the number of overweight children ages 3-11 in a fixed population by 18 percent and would reduce the number of overweight adolescents ages 12-18 by 14 percent."

The Chou team's findings are consistent with other research into the relationship between food advertising and childhood obesity.

Labels: advertising, causes of childhood obesity, research

Wednesday, May 20, 2009

Junk Food Ads Common when Kids are Watching TV

Two-thirds of television food advertisements shown during the hours children watch are for junk foods, according to research presented at the European Congress on Obesity meeting. In the United States, things are even worse: 90 percent of the ads during the time period in question are for junk foods.

Bridget Kelley and her colleagues monitored television shows broadcast during the hours children are most likely to watch in Australia, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, Asia, and North and South America. She found that children see between 4,000 and 6,000 ads a year, with 2,000 to 4,000 for junk food.

"There is a lot of attention on unhealthy food marketing as an influence on childhood obesity and a lot of governments are reluctant to regulate," Kelley said.

The excessive consumption of junk food has been associated with many of the health consequences of childhood obesity.

Labels: advertising, causes of childhood obesity, television

Friday, March 20, 2009

USDA and Ad Council Team Up for Healthy Lifestyle Ads

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack and The Advertising Council have joined forces to create an ad campaign aimed at inspiring parents to adopt healthier lifestyles for their families.

"The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food Nutrition and Consumer Services is sponsoring the campaign, which features characters from Walt Disney's Pinocchio. The PSAs also encourage parents to visit MyPyramid.gov, the USDA's website that contains nutritional data and promotes healthy lifestyles..."

In a press release, Secretary Vilsack said combating childhood obesity is a top priority for the USDA and President Barack Obama. Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment is said to be creating the ads. Source: The Packer (Produce Industry Newspaper)

Labels: advertising, healthy_living, tips

Sunday, December 28, 2008

Banning Fast Food Ads Could Cut Obesity Rates in Children

New research indicates that stopping fast food advertisements on children's television shows could reduce the number of overweight children by 18 percent and the number of overweight teens by 14 percent.

In a report that appeared in the Journal of Law and Economics, two professors of economics from LeHigh College and Georgia State University linked obesity rates in young people to the amount of time they spend watching fast food commercials on television. Among their suggestions is to eliminate the federal income tax deduction that fast food companies receive for advertising on children's shows.

Sweden, Norway, and Finland are the only three countries that do not allow commercials on children's television shows.

Some spokespeople for the fast food industry argue that the new study is not credible because the professors used data from the late 1990s. Since then, companies like Burger King and McDonalds have begun running TV ads for healthy menu options for children, such as milk and apple slices, the spokespeople reported.

Labels: advertising, fast_food

Friday, September 19, 2008

Sporting Greats Mock Olympic Junk Food Ads

A consortium of health organizations in Australia is funding a series of advertisements aimed at mocking junk food ads that are being run during the Olympics.

"'When obesity, and particularly childhood obesity, is one of the biggest health issues facing our country, sporting champions should be promoting positive messages about diet, exercise and a healthy lifestyle, not exploited to promote fast foods,' [hockey gold medalist Jenn] Morris said."

The ads will feature Morris and basketball legend Luc Longley. Source: PerthNow

Labels: advertising, influences, marketing

Monday, September 15, 2008

Parents Cry Foul Over Online Junk Food Marketing

Over the past 12 months, consumer and children's advocacy groups have successfully lobbied for tighter restrictions on junk food advertising during kids' television shows. Now, many of those same groups are targeting Web advertising.

"A new report, commissioned by the Berkley Media Studies Group, part of the Public Health Institute in Berkeley, Calif., focuses on methods of advertising foods to kids that have become particularly popular during the past two years, such as spreading messages through social networks, and urges lawmakers to restrict junk food advertising to kids online."

The report will be presented to members of Congress, along with recommendations that ads for unhealthy snacks on kids' websites be restricted. Source: BusinessWeek

Labels: advertising, influences, marketing

Friday, April 11, 2008

Consumers Want More Industry Help

A recent public opinion survey by the Transatlantic Consumer Dialogue (TACD) found that 82 percent of Americans think food companies aren't doing enough to help combat obesity. Though a staggering number of food companies say they're reformulating products to make them healthier, consumers are looking for more.

"US based companies are complying with government initiatives in Europe that curb junk food advertising to kids, limit fat and salt content in processed foods, and call for nutrition information on the front of food packages, but are opposing such steps in the US..."

The survey also found that Americans still think there is too much advertising of junk food to children and that the government should get more involved in combating childhood obesity. Source: FoodNavigator.com.

Labels: advertising, food_companies, junk_food

Tuesday, March 25, 2008

Organization Calls for Global Marketing Ban

The International Association for the Study of Obesity (IASO) is asking food and soft drink manufacturers to adopt global standards on marketing their products to children and adolescents. A draft of the standard was developed by the International Obesity Task Force, the policy arm of the IASO.

"The proposed code would require a ban on all advertising of junk food and caloric soft drinks to children under 16 years old on television up to a 9 pm watershed and complete restrictions on internet promotions of junk food to children, where children's online games are often used as selling techniques. The use of celebrities and cartoons, already forbidden in Ireland, would also be prohibited."

Members of the IASO acknowledge that the global ban would not immediately bring an end to the problem of childhood obesity. It would, however, raise awareness that this is a serious problem worldwide. Read more at Scoop.co.nz.

Labels: advertising, marketing, soft_drinks

Monday, March 03, 2008

David and Goliath

A collection of studies recently published in the American Journal of Preventative Medicine found that, in the fight against childhood obesity, the odds are not in our favor.

"A study of 200,000 television commercials aired on shows popular with the teen audience found that more than one quarter of them were for fast food, sweets, and beverages... If you're looking for an explanation for our 'childhood obesity epidemic,' the constant barrage of marketing in support of products that literally feed that epidemic might be a good place to start."

But parents have some ammunition of their own, especially because they can determine what foods are and are not allowed in the home. Choosing fruits and veggies for snacks, and limiting after-dinner snacks are just two ways that parents can fight back. Read more at CalorieLab.com.

Labels: advertising, media_influences, studies

Friday, February 01, 2008

Junk Food Ad Rules Unveiled

British media regulator Ofcom stopped short of a total ban on junk food advertisement aimed at children. It's a move that has disappointed the British Heart Foundation and consumer groups, which called for a complete ban on all junk food advertising before 9pm.

"Under the plans, celebrities and characters from films or TV programs would not be allowed to take part in any food or drink commercial targeted at the under-10s. Adverts showing excessive consumption would also be discouraged. Ofcom research indicates TV adverts have a 'modest direct effect' on children's food choice."

Ofcom goes on to say, however, that exercise, family eating patterns and school policies play a greater role than advertising. Read more at BBC.co.uk.

Labels: advertising, influences, junk_food

Saturday, January 05, 2008

Britain Bans Junk Food Ads

In an extension of its current ban on junk food ads for kids under the age of 10, Britain rang in the New Year with a ban on junk food ads to kids under the age of sixteen.

"Specifically, the new measures, agreed last year, will ban adverts for junk food and drink around programmes of particular appeal to children under 16 years... Some campaigners say the ban which came into force Monday does not go far enough, calling for a total ban on junk food ads after 9:00 pm."

This is the latest in a string of measures the British government has made to try and fight growing childhood obesity.

Labels: advertising, marketing, media influences

Friday, September 21, 2007

Intentions Requested from Five Leading Food Companies

Last year, the Council of Better Business Bureau's Children's Food and Beverage Advertising Initiative was created as a means of self-regulation for the Food and Beverage Industry and its advertising to children. Today, chairman of the House Subcommittee on Telecommunications and the Internet, Edward Markey submitted letters to five leading food companies which are not currently part of the Initiative.

"'I am writing to you to ascertain whether your company will join the CBBB initiative and commit to implementing marketing restrictions that meet or exceed those of the other companies that have made pledges, and if so, your timeline for doing so,' wrote Chairman Markey on Wednesday."

Participants in the initiative adopted certain nutrition standards that determine which foods and beverages will and will not be marketed to young children. There are currently 12 companies involved, include Coca-Cola, Hershey, and Kellogg. Among those not involved are Nestle, Dannon, and ConAgra.

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Labels: advertising, food_companies, marketing

Monday, September 17, 2007

Most 'Kid Show' Ads are for Junk Food

A study that was conducted in 2003-2004 and is being published in the journal Pediatrics found that advertising during kids' TV shows was almost entirely comprised of junk food ads.

"A nine-month survey of the nutritional content of food ads in 170 top-rated [according to Nielsen] TV shows with kids 2-17 concluded that 97.8% of those food ads viewed by young children (2-11) were for foods with poor nutritional content, and 89.4% of ads for teens (12-17)."

The survey did not include fast food advertisements. The senior Vice President of the American Association of Advertising Agencies has argued that the findings are in opposition to a study conducted by the FTC but, while the FTC study found that ads for junk food hadn’t increased significantly in 30 years, it also found that 95% of all ads were for restaurants, fast or junk foods.

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Labels: advertising, junk_food, TV

Wednesday, August 29, 2007

Cartoon Network Limits use of Licensed Characters

Following in the footsteps of Discovery Communications and Nickelodeon - who made similar announcements this week - Time Warner's Cartoon Network has announced that it will only allow use of its licensed characters for the marketing of nutritious products. House Energy & Commerce's telecom committee chairman, Rep. Ed Markey, D-Mass., called the move a "positive step forward."

"The moves come as some critics question whether advertising and promotion of poor food choices is a part of the reason for increasing childhood obesity and demand marketers and media companies act to limit the ads kids see to better food choices."

The Cartoon Network said that its new licensing agreements will be effective January 1. Read more at TVWeek.com.

Labels: advertising, marketing, media influences

Monday, July 30, 2007

Junking Ads for Junk Food

At a Federal Trade Commission Forum on Wednesday, eleven of the nation's biggest food and beverage companies signed contracts agreeing to limit the kinds of products they'll market to children. The pledges came from companies like Coca-Cola, McDonald's USA, Kraft Foods Inc. and General Mills who are promising to restrict advertising to kids 12 and younger.

"If the task force determines that these pledges do not go far enough, legislation may follow, said Gary Knell, the task force's volunteer chairman and the chief executive of Sesame Workshop, an educational organization."

The task force on media and childhood obesity led by Senators Sam Brownback (R-Kan.) and Tom Harkin (D-Iowa) is working on a report on media and childhood obesity.

Read more at LATimes.com.

Labels: advertising, junk_food, marketing