Food, advertising may directly influence the foods that children eat, the world health organization said.
To determine how much food advertising children can be exposed to, the researchers in this study examined the advertising content of a single television network in Australia in 2016. The researchers sorted through 30,000 hours of TV and more than 800 000 advertisements, paying special attention to the times in which children are most likely to be watching: before school (from 7 am to 9 am) and after school (from 4 to 10 hours).
At this time there were twice the number of ads of unhealthy foods compared with healthy amount of advertising of food products. These unhealthy advertising on the air 1.7 times per hour. The most frequently advertised products included snacks like chips and popcorn, fried food and fast food. The least frequently advertised products include vegetables, low sugar cereals and fruits.
Studies estimate that high school-aged children was viewed by 827 unhealthy advertising of food products, amounting to 4 hours in one year.
The researchers made these calculations assuming that the kids watch 80 minutes of TV a day. But data from the American Academy of Pediatrics says that the average American child consumes more than 120 minutes of screen time a day, so the rating may be lower for children in the United States
Due to long hours of work and advertising impact on children, the authors of this study to discuss the potential benefits of regulation of unhealthy advertisements in the media children consume.
“The Australian health, nutrition and policy experts agree that reducing children’s exposure to junk food advertising is an important part of fighting obesity and increasing public support for stricter regulation of advertising in protecting children,” Professor Lisa Smithers, article the study’s lead Author, said in a statement.
Childhood obesity-defined as body Mass Index (BMI) greater than or equal to the 95 th percentile, i.e. the child weighs more than what is ideal for their growth, is the epidemic at both the national and international scale.
In 2014, 17.4 percent of American children and adolescents are obese, according to the US centers for control and prevention of diseases. Kids are obese for the same reasons that adults suffer from obesity, says the Agency, too much bad food and too little activity are the main culprits although certain medications, poor sleep and lack of community support also play a role.
People who are obese as children are more likely to be obese as adults, the Agency added. Obesity leads to a number of known medical problems, including heart disease, diabetes, high blood pressure, sleep apnea, arthritis, liver disease and gall bladder disease.
To combat this growing problem, the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends a diet high in vegetables, fruits, whole grains, low-fat dairy products and lean protein. They also recommend limiting sweetened beverages such as soda or juice drinks, in addition to limiting all forms of sedentary entertainment like television and video games.
When this program includes advertising of junk food, the study authors believe that may need to set limits on how many can run, which can even include government policy.
“The first step in creating in order to regulate it, knowing that children may be exposed”, she added. “Our work is done that more comprehensively than before.”
Further research was needed to determine how much effect, and at what frequency, can not provide, for a selection of baby food or their parents.
Sourse: abcnews.go.com
