The Effects of Television Food Advertising on Childhood Obesity

Authors

Aleathia Cezar, Health EducatorFollow

Keywords

Childhood obesity; Food – Marketing; Obesity in children; Television advertising and children; Television food advertising; Television marketing

Disciplines

Community-Based Research | Marketing | Medicine and Health | Nutrition | Public Health

Abstract

Children’s food choices are influenced by the media, television advertising, focusing directly at infants and toddlers. This literature review presents multiple studies that explain how TV advertising of fast food, sugary cereals and other foods high in calories, fat, sugar, sodium and low in nutrients are contributing to the increase rates of childhood obesity. It is concluded that children are exposed to high amounts of food advertisements which affect young children’s food choices and poor food consumption. Due to the growing numbers of hours that children sit in front of the television, less physical activity and the epidemic of childhood obesity, formal product advertising restrictions should be established to change marketing practices directed at children. Restrictions can begin with large companies curbing their advertising of popular unhealthy snacks and promote healthy, nutritious snacks. Parents should restrict eating foods with poor nutrition content and also limit television viewing time, remove television sets from children’s bedrooms, monitor the shows children are watching and to watch television with the children.

Recommended Citation

Cezar, Aleathia (2008) "The Effects of Television Food Advertising on Childhood Obesity," Nevada Journal of Public Health: Vol. 5: Iss. 1, Article 2.
Available at: https://digitalscholarship.unlv.edu/njph/vol5/iss1/2