Spanish Children's Overexposure to 'Junk Food' Ads on TV

Spanish children are overexposed to TV ads of unhealthy food like burgers, pizzas, soft drinks, a worrying situation which promotes childhood obesity.

Children in Spain are overexposed to TV ads of unhealthy food such as burgers, pizzas, soft drinks, chocolate, bakery, etc. both in generalist and children-oriented channels, a situation that could be described as "worrying" and which promotes childhood obesity.

This follows a pioneering study carried out by scientists from the University of Granada (belonging to the Center of Excellence in Pediatric Research Euristikos and the departments of Pharmacology and Pediatrics) in collaboration with the University Hospital San Rafael (Granada).

Reducing and Reformulating Unhealthy Foods Could Improve Diet Quality
Replacing unhealthy foods with less energy dense, healthy foods help improve diet quality and reduce daily calorie intake without resulting in increased hunger.

‘There is a need to increase control over food commercials that are broadcast on Spanish television.’

The goal of this work was to evaluate the changes experienced by Spanish TV between 2007 and 2013, before and after the entry into force of the Spanish and European public health regulations governing the broadcast of fast food ads on TV. Said regulations came into force in 2011 (Law 17/2011 on Food Safety and Nutrition).

To do this, the researchers recorded and analyzed a total of 1263 ads, corresponding to a total of 256 hours of television. All of them were broadcast on the two most-viewed children-oriented channels watched by Spanish children between 2 and 12 years, and two generalist channels targeting all audiences.

The record was carried out by a nutritionist specialized in marketing, who classified the different types of ads based on the amount of nutrients, subliminal messages and recommendations on healthy habits they gave. Thematic channels broadcast 16 food advertisements per hour, a figure that rises to 25 in the case of generalist channels.

Women are Wired to Crave for Unhealthy Foods in the Afternoon
The commonly snacked unhealthy foods are highly processed with high amounts of sugar, fats, and salt. This increases the risk of non-communicable diseases.

The most broadcast ads

The most broadcast ads on thematic channels were on infant feeding (excluding milk formulas), with a total of 191 ads (33% of total ads), followed by dairy products (136 ads, 23.5%). In the case of generalist channels, the most broadcast ads were on fast food restaurants (72 ads, 10.5%), vitamins and mineral supplements (71 ads, 10.4%), and dairy products (60 ads, 8.8%).

Some Asian-Americans are Predisposed to Crave for Unhealthy Food
A gene, called DRD2 A1 is linked to a lower density of dopamine receptors in the brain. Some people overeat to compensate for reduced dopamine signaling.

The results showed that the broadcast of these ads on children-oriented thematic channels increased between 2007 and 2013 (from 6 to 10 ads per hour and channel, respectively), similar to what happens with the generalist channels, where, despite the regulations, the broadcast of 'junk food' advertisements has also increased.

Given the results of their work, the researchers warn of the need to increase control over food commercials that are broadcast on Spanish television, "and take advantage of the level of attention that children pay to television as they watch cartoons to promote healthy lifestyles and a healthy nutrition, with the goal of preventing overweight and obesity", professor Cristina Campoy Folgoso, UGR professor and lead author of this work, says.

Watching Cartoons can Influence Children to Eat More Unhealthy Food, Become Fat
Kids consume more high-calorie food such as cookies and candy after observing egg-shaped cartoon characters that they perceive to be overweight.

The researcher warns that it would be necessary to analyze a larger sample of television channels, in order to know, with precision, the information that Spanish children are getting through advertising.

She also notes that "there is currently no control of the advertisings that reach children through games downloaded to their cellphones and tablets as well as in social networks, so it is very necessary to legislate said aspect".

Source-Eurekalert