Many parents and teachers are concerned because childhood obesity has nearly tripled over the last 40 years. According to the CDC, 17% of kids ages 2-19 are obese. Though genes and lifestyle play a big part in kid's overall health, the things they are view on TV, video games and online also have an impact.
Media Changes Over the Last 40 Years
Decades ago, children only had access to cartoons for a few hours every Saturday morning. There weren't entire channels dedicated to cartoons and you couldn't catch a show On Demand or Tivo it for later. Today's kids are able to watch cartoons 24 hours a day. Most kids watch and average of 4.5 hours of TV per day.
Advertisers take advantage of this and market junk food products to kids. The effect goes beyond just TV though. Now kids are playing video games and playing games online. Kids are bombarded with messages about eating unhealthy foods. Kids movies include labels that send subliminal advertising messages about brands and products. Kids see logo images, commercials, toys and advergames that advertise mainly junk foods. The intensity of the ads and their impact on kids food choices has grown as they cross-promote their products over several mediums.
Kids Food Choices Affected by Junk Food Ads
One in four ads geared towards kids is for sugary sodas that are known to contribute to obesity. Furthermore, 72% of ads during programming for kids either contain a lot of sugar, a lot of calories or a lot of fat, like candy, cereal and fast food.
According to the American Psychological Association, “Children's exposure to TV ads for unhealthy food products are a significant risk factor for obesity.” Kids food choices are affected by the constant messages they see. These ads create cravings. Kids sit for long periods of time watching TV and playing games, only to come away craving junk food. They then influence their parents buying habits, with three out of four of their requests coming from the products they see advertised, making personal responsibility to our children's health even more important.
Coping with Media Influence and Encouraging Kids to Eat Healthy
Doctors aren't even trained to deal with media exposure. According to an article in the Pediatrics Journal, less than one third of physicians were taught about media and its affect on obesity, despite the fact that they are aware of the issue.
Taking a personal stance against junk food and soda is the only way to ensure your kids are making healthy food choices and prevent childhood obesity. Seeing their parents model healthy eating behaviors is just as big of an influence for kids as seeing TV and online ads. Discuss the ads with your kids, make sure they understand the intend of the commercials, as well as the difference in nutrition between whole foods like apples and processed foods like potato chips.
Sources:
“Media Influences on Obesity,” Hood Center. Accessed Oct 4, 2011. www.hoodcenter.dartmouth.edu/foodproductplacement.html
Lallanilla, Marc. “Obesity Among Kids:A Media Problem?” ABC News. Feb 24, 2011.
Rich, Michael et all. “Child Health in the Information Age: Media Education of Pediatrics,” Pediatrics Vol 107 No 1Jan 1, 2001.
“The Role of Media in Childhood Obesity,” www.kff.org Feb 2004.
Disclaimer: The information contained in this article is for educational purposes only and should not be used for diagnosis or to guide treatment without the opinion of a health professional. Any reader who is concerned about his or her health should contact a doctor for advice.
Tracy Rose - Tracy Rose is a powerflifter who holds the state record in deadlifting and has had success in her own weight loss journey.
Join the Conversation