Nutrient-poor, sugary foods such as candy, sweets and soft drinks account for nearly 44 percent of foods advertised during TV programs that kids aged 6 to 11 watch the most.
Thus finds a new study from researchers at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, who discovered that convenience/fast foods made up another 34.2 percent of ads during popular children’s TV programs.
In other words, the new research project — published in the September issue of the American Journal of Public Health — concluded that a whopping 83 percent of foods advertised on TV shows kids watch are for junk food.
For instance, the study notes that "the typical child aged 6-11 years would be exposed to approximately 11,000 food advertisements each year."
Sure enough, kids watching cable programs (such as "SpongeBob SquarePants"); Saturday network programs (such as "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles"); syndicated programs (such as "Everybody Loves Raymond"); and network primetime programs (such as "American Idol") are besieged by frequent ads for King Kids Meal chicken tenders, Jell-O Pudding Bites (chocolate and vanilla), McDonald’s Happy Meal french fries, Post Fruity Pebbles cereal and Wendy’s Kid’s Meal crispy chicken nuggets.
Of course, those of us who monitor junk food advertising and marketing aren’t surprised.
We already know that the food industry goes hog wild pushing sugary, high-calorie, heavily processed, fiber-stripped foods.
Ironically, on the other hand, these very same companies profess — often through much-touted announcements — that they’re starting some kind of healthy eating program.
Ah, hypocrisy! …Of course, all these ads are to pump up the bottom line.
OK, I’m depressed.
Our nation’s poor kids are are being deluged with ads for junk food full of fat, sugar, and salt and lackinng in fiber, as well as certain vitamins and minerals.
This is why it’s so important that we adults and parents strive to educate our children to make proper food choices — ones that will enable them to live longer and more happily.
2 thoughts on “Kids Watch Loads of Junk-Food Ads”
You are an angel!
I agree with you! In my son’s school in Florida, they have “Ice cream days” 2 times a week, after lunch at 10:35 a.m.
The big corporations are making the new generation of kids sick with diabetes and obesity.
If I want to buy my children an ice cream, I go to the supermarket or an ice cream place. Schools are supposed to be just for learning.
I’m trying to buy food with no corn sugar or Splenda and most ice creams.
Thanks.
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