TV Advertising Limits Reduce Childhood Obesity

Limiting the hours of television advertising for foods and beverages high in fat, sugar, and salt (HFSS) could help reduce childhood obesity, stated a new study published in PLOS Medicine by Oliver Mytton of the University of Cambridge, UK, and colleagues. Researchers used data on children's exposure to HFSS advertising between 5:30 am and 9 pm. If all the HFSS ads in the UK were withdrawn during the hours in question:

• The 3.7 million kids in the UK would see, on average, 1.5 fewer HFSS advertisements per day and decrease their caloric intake by an average of 9.1 kcal.
• It could decrease the number of kids aged 5 through 17 with obesity by 4.6%, and the number of children considered overweight by 3.6%.

"Measures which have the potential to reduce exposure to less-healthy food advertising on television could make a meaningful contribution to reducing childhood obesity," the authors say. However, they also point out that "this is a modeling study and we cannot fully account for all factors that would affect the impact of this policy if it was implemented."

A 9 pm watershed on unhealthy TV ads can make a valuable contribution to protecting all children's future health in the UK.

Tips to Control Childhood Obesity

• Choose lean meats, poultry, fish, lentils, and beans for protein.
• Incorporate healthy snacks
• Drink more water
• Limit sugary drinks
• Reduce the consumption of sugar and saturated fat

Source-Medindia