Of course there is a correlation !
October 21st 2006 02:18
Is there a correlation between more junk food ads in children's television and childhood obesity?
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) plans to study links between the marketing campaigns for food targeted at children 12 and under and the rise of childhood obesity.
Duhh….??
Yes, of course, kids are going to eat more junk food if they see their favorite cartoon character munching down sugary cereal or candy.
More junk food, more TV time, less time for exercise = more obese kids.
Granted that junk food ads are not the sole reason for the growing obesity in this country, BUT Do we really need to spend a ton of money to study the link between junk food ads and increasing obesity in kids?
I’m sure the study will provide some useful statistical data but how much are numbers going to help? Do we want to wait for some study numbers to come out before we realize that there is a problem?
FCC Chairman Martin cited reports that the average child watches 2 to 4 hours of TV per day and views about 40,000 TV ads every year, most of them for cereal, candy, toys and fast food.
Kids cannot tell the difference between what is real and what’s pure marketing drivel- To my kids, Sponge Bob is as real as Santa Claus.
They don’t care if Sponge Bob or Scooby Doo are peddling food with close to zero nutritional value. If it’s good enough for Sponge Bob, it’s good for them
American companies spend about $15 billion a year marketing and advertising to children under age 12.
I know that most TV channels don’t want to loose the ad revenue but how about Sponge Bob talks about broccoli or celery for atleast a quarter of the time that he shills for sugary cereal.
For more news on the FCC article, go here.
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) plans to study links between the marketing campaigns for food targeted at children 12 and under and the rise of childhood obesity.
Duhh….??
Yes, of course, kids are going to eat more junk food if they see their favorite cartoon character munching down sugary cereal or candy.
More junk food, more TV time, less time for exercise = more obese kids.
Granted that junk food ads are not the sole reason for the growing obesity in this country, BUT Do we really need to spend a ton of money to study the link between junk food ads and increasing obesity in kids?
I’m sure the study will provide some useful statistical data but how much are numbers going to help? Do we want to wait for some study numbers to come out before we realize that there is a problem?
FCC Chairman Martin cited reports that the average child watches 2 to 4 hours of TV per day and views about 40,000 TV ads every year, most of them for cereal, candy, toys and fast food.
Kids cannot tell the difference between what is real and what’s pure marketing drivel- To my kids, Sponge Bob is as real as Santa Claus.
They don’t care if Sponge Bob or Scooby Doo are peddling food with close to zero nutritional value. If it’s good enough for Sponge Bob, it’s good for them
American companies spend about $15 billion a year marketing and advertising to children under age 12.
I know that most TV channels don’t want to loose the ad revenue but how about Sponge Bob talks about broccoli or celery for atleast a quarter of the time that he shills for sugary cereal.
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Comment by Adele
Lost Fanatic
Day Break TV
Comment by parentingwisdom
Parenting Wisdom
It's just that I am amazed that the FCC is spending money to study something that to me is common sense - maybe, i'm missing something here ?
Comment by Adele
Lost Fanatic
Day Break TV