Television could play a major role in the growing obesity among children. A study shows that most of the ads shown during the children’s program promote junk foods that tempt the kids into eating them.
The University of Sydney studied the number of ads for high-fat and high-sugar foods during the popular programs for kids aged between 5 and twelve, teenagers between 13 and 17 and adult programs. It was found the junk foods made up about sixty seven percent of the food ads shown in programs for children when compared to thirty nine percent of the junk food ads during adult programs.
This means, even if the kids watched television for even one hour, they were exposed to an average of nine junk food ads an hour. The actual average time the kids spend in front of the tube is two hours a day meaning the number of junk food ads they watched could be a lot higher.
When kids watch these ads, they are likely to demand the products they see more often on the tube. Parents have little choice and have to give in to their demands. Since these products are calorie rich and nutrient deficient, the kids grow fat when they consume them.
The researchers say that there must be strict regulations for the ads shown during the children’s programs. But the government or the television channels are unlikely to take any action as it will cut down the moolah they earn from these ads.
The only option left is for the parents to take action by educating kids about healthy eating habits.
