I’m a grandparent, but I’ve never been a parent – so I’ve missed out on the pressure that kids can put on parents for buying special foods. Still, I can remember advocating as a child for my favorite high sugar cereals. I especially liked the boxes with prizes.
Things have escalated since then. Now the average American child sees more than 10,000 food ads each year – usually for foods that are high in sugar or fat. The ads promise fun and excitement, being cool, fitting in with friends.
An article in the journal Today’s Dietitian said that for every 10 nutritional related public service announcements, there are 560 ads for food. Young children don’t know about marketing; they don’t know not to believe what they see. Those foods are made to look great to them. They can think those foods are healthy!
In fact, one study in Australia showed that more than half the children surveyed believed that Ronald McDonald knew best what they should eat to be healthy.
I don’t know what the answer is, but I think it is important to be aware of the message your children get from TV. It could be one more reason to limit screen time. Don’t let them get their nutrition education from TV food commercials.
Some food companies are voluntarily limiting the amount of advertising to children, or setting nutrition guidelines for the foods they market. There is a Better Business Bureau Children’s Food and Beverage Advertising Initiative, which is working with industry to set limits.
It is good that these initiatives are going on, and good to support them when you get the chance. But I think ultimately it is important to be aware yourself and to teach your child to be wary of advertising messages.
If you don’t pay attention, it is easy to get hooked in without even knowing what is happening. Being aware helps you and your children make conscious choices. Making conscious choices is a big part of having healthy habits!
Find more nutrition information and my monthly newsletter on my website: http://healthyhabitscoach.com . Eat Sustainably!
