Watching TV Food Ads Linked to Increased Snacking

Americans young and old who watch food commercials on TV have a greater tendency to snack and suffer weight gain, a recent study has discovered. The study, which was published in the journal Health Psychology, was done by scientists at Yale University to investigate the effects of TV food ads on viewers. In one experiment, the scientists showed two groups of children the same half-hour cartoon.


For one group, food commercials were included, while the other group viewed non-food-related commercials. The result was that those children who watched the food ads ate 45 percent more snack food during the show than those who saw non-food spots.
   
The researchers calculated that the extra snacking would translate into a weight gain of almost 10 pounds annually, unless the children cut back on other foods or stepped up their exercise levels.
   
In another test, the scientists showed adults TV commercials for unhealthy foods. It turned out that those who viewed these ads ate far more than those who were shown spots that spoke of good nutrition or healthy food.
   
“This research shows a direct and powerful link between television food advertising and calories consumed by adults and children,” lead author Jennifer Harris, director of marketing initiatives at the Rudd Center for Food Policy and Obesity at Yale, said in a press release put out by the university.
   
“Food advertising triggers automatic eating, regardless of hunger, and is a significant contributor to the obesity epidemic. Reducing unhealthy food advertising to children is critical,” she said.


Disclaimer

Featured Doctors

Weight Loss Program Manhattan, NYC

 Columbia University Medical Center for Metabolic and Weight Loss Surgery
Columbia University Medical Center for Metabolic and Weight Loss Surgery

Center for Metabolic & Weight Loss Surgery
Herbert Irving Pavilion,161 Fort Washington Ave, 6th Fl., Room 620
NYC, NY 10032

Call: 888-838-9148

Quick Weight Loss Manhattan, NYC

 Columbia University Medical Center for Metabolic and Weight Loss Surgery
Columbia University Medical Center for Metabolic and Weight Loss Surgery

Center for Metabolic & Weight Loss Surgery
Herbert Irving Pavilion,161 Fort Washington Ave, 6th Fl., Room 620
NYC, NY 10032

Call: 888-838-9148

Bariatric/Obesity Surgery Westchester, New York

Dr. Miguel Silva
Miguel Silva

Lawrence Hospital Center for Advanced Surgery
55 Palmer Avenue
Bronxville, NY 10708

Call: 888-468-9351

Integrative Medicine Fairfield, Connecticut

 Associates in Family Chiropractic & Natural Health Care, P.C.
Associates in Family Chiropractic & Natural Health Care, P.C.

156 East Avenue
Norwalk, CT 06851

Call: (203) 242-0165

Free Weight Loss Surgery Seminar Manhattan, NYC

 Columbia University Medical Center for Metabolic and Weight Loss Surgery
Columbia University Medical Center for Metabolic and Weight Loss Surgery

Center for Metabolic & Weight Loss Surgery
Herbert Irving Pavilion,161 Fort Washington Ave, 6th Fl., Room 620
NYC, NY 10032

Call: 888-838-9148

Weight Loss Coaching/ Weight Loss Classes Salt Lake City, Utah

 Lighthouse Health & Body Makeover
Lighthouse Health & Body Makeover

Lighthouse Health & Body Makeover
715 East 3900 South Suite 101
Salt Lake City, Utah 84107

Call: 888-831-0743

Chiropractic Fairfield, Connecticut

 Associates in Family Chiropractic & Natural Health Care, P.C.
Associates in Family Chiropractic & Natural Health Care, P.C.

156 East Avenue
Norwalk, CT 06851

Call: 203-242-0165

Weight Loss Specialist Manhattan, NYC

 Columbia University Medical Center for Metabolic and Weight Loss Surgery
Columbia University Medical Center for Metabolic and Weight Loss Surgery

Center for Metabolic & Weight Loss Surgery
Herbert Irving Pavilion,161 Fort Washington Ave, 6th Fl., Room 620
NYC, NY 10032

Call: 888-838-9148

Surgical Weight Loss Center Manhattan, NYC

 Columbia University Medical Center for Metabolic and Weight Loss Surgery
Columbia University Medical Center for Metabolic and Weight Loss Surgery

Center for Metabolic & Weight Loss Surgery
Herbert Irving Pavilion,161 Fort Washington Ave, 6th Fl., Room 620
New York City, NY 10032

Call: 888-838-9148

Free Gastric Bypass Surgery Seminar Manhattan, NYC

 Columbia University Medical Center for Metabolic and Weight Loss Surgery
Columbia University Medical Center for Metabolic and Weight Loss Surgery

Center for Metabolic & Weight Loss Surgery
Herbert Irving Pavilion,161 Fort Washington Ave, 6th Fl., Room 620
NYC, NY 10032

Call: 888-838-9148

Active Release Technique (ART) White Plains, NY

Dr. Jonathan Donath
Jonathan Donath

Joint Effort Chiropractic
1241 Mamaroneck Ave
White Plains, NY 10605

Call: 888-543-4224

Fibromyalgia Fairfield, Connecticut

 Associates in Family Chiropractic & Natural Health Care, P.C.
Associates in Family Chiropractic & Natural Health Care, P.C.

156 East Avenue
Norwalk, CT 06851

Call: (203) 242-0165

Nutritionist Salt Lake City, Utah

 Lighthouse Health & Body Makeover
Lighthouse Health & Body Makeover

Lighthouse Health & Body Makeover
715 East 3900 South Suite 101
Salt Lake City, Utah 84107

Call: 888-831-0743

Gastric Bypass New York City

Dr. Elliot Goodman
Elliot Goodman

Beth Israel Medical Center
6th Floor 1st Ave & 16th St
New York City, NY 10003

Call: 888-351-8607

Weight Loss Plan Salt Lake City, Utah

 Lighthouse Health & Body Makeover
Lighthouse Health & Body Makeover

Lighthouse Health & Body Makeover
715 East 3900 South Suite 101
Salt Lake City, Utah 84107

Call: 888-831-0743

Fast Weight Loss Manhattan, NYC

 Columbia University Medical Center for Metabolic and Weight Loss Surgery
Columbia University Medical Center for Metabolic and Weight Loss Surgery

Center for Metabolic & Weight Loss Surgery
Herbert Irving Pavilion,161 Fort Washington Ave, 6th Fl., Room 620
NYC, NY 10032

Call: 888-838-9148

Gastric Bypass Manhattan, NYC

Dr. Elliot Goodman
Elliot Goodman

Beth Israel Medical Center
6th Floor 1st Ave & 16th St
New York City, NY 10003

Call: 888-351-8607

Weight Loss Doctor Manhattan, NYC

 Columbia University Medical Center for Metabolic and Weight Loss Surgery
Columbia University Medical Center for Metabolic and Weight Loss Surgery

Center for Metabolic & Weight Loss Surgery
Herbert Irving Pavilion,161 Fort Washington Ave, 6th Fl., Room 620
New York City, NY 10032

Call: 888-838-9148