Medindia LOGIN REGISTER
Medindia
Advertisement

89% Kids’ Food Has Poor Nutritional Value: Study

by Thilaka Ravi on July 15, 2008 at 3:03 PM
 89% Kids’ Food Has Poor Nutritional Value: Study

Most food products packaged specifically for children have poor nutritional content even though more than half of the products are marketed with positive claims on the package labels, says a Canadian study released on Monday.

The study, done by researchers at the University of Calgary, claimed that 89 percent food products aimed specifically at children have poor nutritional content because of high levels of sugar, fat or sodium.

Advertisement

Confectionary, soft drinks and baked products were specifically excluded from the study.

The study looked at 367 food products and included products that had a cartoon on the front of the box or were linked to children's films, television programs or other merchandise.
Advertisement

The researchers found 70 percent of the products had higher than recommended sugar levels, 23 percent had high fat levels and 17 percent had high salt levels. The study, published in the July issue of the British journal Obesity Reviews, found that just 11 percent of the products studied, provided good nutritional value according to criteria set by the Center of Science in the Public Interest, a U.S. nonprofit agency.

The findings of the study also showed 62 percent of the products with poor nutritional quality made positive claims on the front of the packaging. Some of these claims included that the food items were low in fat, were a source of calcium, contained no artificial colorings or provided a number of essential nutrients.

Lead researcher Charlene Elliott from the University of Calgary, Canada said, "We included food products and packaging that were presented in such a way that children were the clear target audience."

"If a parent sees a product that makes specific nutritional claims, they may assume that the whole product is nutritious and our study has shown that this is definitely not true in the vast majority of cases," said Elliott.

 According to the research team the findings are cause for concern, especially given current rates of childhood obesity all over the world.

Source: Medindia
THK/L
Font : A-A+

Advertisement

Advertisement
Advertisement

Recommended Readings

Latest Child Health News

Can Maternal Discrimination Influence Baby's Brain Development?
Facing discrimination and acculturating during pregnancy could not only affect the mother but also potentially harm the baby's brain health.
Respiratory Infections Spike Among Kids in China
A number of pathogens are to blame for the rise in childhood acute respiratory diseases, according to Chinese health officials.
Measles Immunization Gaps in India Exposed
World Health Organization (WHO) and the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) highlight the deficiencies in disease surveillance efforts.
Gender-Specific Brain Injury Interventions for Newborns
Need for gender-specific interventions in brain injuries has been highlighted by a new study due to its higher prevalence in newborn boys.
How Screen Time Shapes Children's Brain?
Screen time in children has been linked to abnormal brain functions. Shifting towards positive digital programs can promote brain development.
View All
This site uses cookies to deliver our services.By using our site, you acknowledge that you have read and understand our Cookie Policy, Privacy Policy, and our Terms of Use  Ok, Got it. Close
×

89% Kids’ Food Has Poor Nutritional Value: Study Personalised Printable Document (PDF)

Please complete this form and we'll send you a personalised information that is requested

You may use this for your own reference or forward it to your friends.

Please use the information prudently. If you are not a medical doctor please remember to consult your healthcare provider as this information is not a substitute for professional advice.

Name *

Email Address *

Country *

Areas of Interests