Study Reveals: Just 5 Minutes of Junk Food Ads Can Boost Children’s Appetite!

Recent research shows that just five minutes of junk food advertising can lead children to consume many more calories. In fact, children who watched these ads ate about 130 extra calories afterward—about the same as two slices of bread.

The study involved 240 kids, aged 7 to 15, from schools in Merseyside. They were shown junk food advertisements and then non-food ads on separate occasions. After viewing, the kids were offered a mix of snacks and lunch items, including both healthy and unhealthy choices.

The results were telling. After the junk food ads, the children snacked on 58 extra calories and consumed 73 additional calories at lunch compared to after the non-food ads. This suggests that the influence of junk food advertising lingers beyond the immediate moment.

Emma Boyland, a professor of food marketing and child health at the University of Liverpool, led the study. She noted, “This is the first study showing that even generic food ads—without specific product branding—can impact children’s eating habits.”

Experts see this as a troubling sign regarding upcoming regulations. There are plans for a ban on junk food ads before 9 PM, aimed at protecting children. Yet, Katharine Jenner from the Obesity Health Alliance warns that this ban has loopholes. Advertisers can still promote to kids without showcasing specific products, which leaves room for ongoing influence. She urges policymakers to close these gaps to truly safeguard children.

Childhood obesity remains a pressing issue, especially in low-income areas, where rates are significantly higher. Experts agree that solving this crisis will require stricter regulations on food advertising. Dr. Helen Stewart from the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health emphasizes that addressing obesity means tackling the root causes, including marketing practices.

The Department of Health and Social Care has pledged measures to curtail junk food advertising aimed at children. They project that these actions could help reduce obesity rates by 20,000 and save the economy around £2 billion in health-related costs.

In light of these insights, it’s clear that the battle against childhood obesity involves not just individual choices, but also the broader influences of advertising. For further reading, check out this study on children’s consumption and advertising.

Source link