Parents have suspected all along that television commercials are leading their kids to request sugary, fatty or salty foods, and now researchers at the Institute of Psychology, Health and Society in the U.K., have confirmed this suspicion.
A team of scientists found that children who watched commercials for fast food or unhealthy snacks before a cartoon were more likely to choose such foods after their program, when compared to kids who viewed advertisements for toys.
"Obesity in young children is now a major health concern around the world. Our studies highlight that there are global connections between advertising, food preferences and consumption," said researcher Emma Boyland.
She noted that the effect of commercials on kids goes beyond a branding preference, since the children were shown to have an overall preference for unhealthy food.
Additionally, study authors said the finding suggests that kids who watch a lot of television are more likely to become overweight or obese, when compared to their peers who instead choose to do other activities. Kids who watched more than 21 hours of TV weekly were more susceptible to the ads and also had a higher body mass index than other children.
A team of scientists found that children who watched commercials for fast food or unhealthy snacks before a cartoon were more likely to choose such foods after their program, when compared to kids who viewed advertisements for toys.
"Obesity in young children is now a major health concern around the world. Our studies highlight that there are global connections between advertising, food preferences and consumption," said researcher Emma Boyland.
She noted that the effect of commercials on kids goes beyond a branding preference, since the children were shown to have an overall preference for unhealthy food.
Additionally, study authors said the finding suggests that kids who watch a lot of television are more likely to become overweight or obese, when compared to their peers who instead choose to do other activities. Kids who watched more than 21 hours of TV weekly were more susceptible to the ads and also had a higher body mass index than other children.
