Self-regulation is not enough in children's TV advertising: study

Self-regulation is not enough in children's TV advertising
Industry self‑regulation has not reduced the amount of TV advertising for unhealthy food being seen by children.

Children still see the same amount of television advertising for unhealthy foods as they did before industry self-regulation was introduced last year, according to new University of Sydney research published in the International Journal of Pediatric Obesity.

Lesley King, paper lead author and adjunct senior lecturer for the University's Prevention Research Collaboration, said of the 41 companies foods in May 2009, only 14 of them were signed up to the industry code.

While companies who signed up to the industry's voluntary had reduced their volume of unhealthy food advertising, the volume of advertisements for from other food companies, who have not signed up to the code of conduct, had not.

Altogether, the study found that the average number of unhealthy food advertisements per hour is the same as it was in 2007.

"So, after 12 months there has only been limited uptake of the voluntary industry code," Ms King said.

"Also, for the changes observed in 2009 to be sustained, the code would need to be stronger.

"Reducing the advertising of unhealthy foods to children is an important part of the ongoing efforts to reduce .

"So far, there have been no benefits for children."

Provided by University of Sydney

Citation: Self-regulation is not enough in children's TV advertising: study (2010, September 30) retrieved 19 March 2024 from https://phys.org/news/2010-09-self-regulation-children-tv-advertising.html
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