Parental Communication Style's Impact on Children's Attitudes Toward Obesity and Food Advertising

Abstract

There have been numerous discussions about what factors influence children's obesity level and their attitudes toward advertising. Among many possible factors, parental influence cannot be ignored, because children (7–12 years old) generally spend more time with their parents than with anybody else. This study investigates the possible influences of parental communication styles/patterns while watching TV with their children on their children's obesity level (body mass index) as well as parental influence's effect on children's attitudes toward TV snack/fast‐food ads. The results reveal that parental communication styles/patterns significantly influence children's obesity level and their attitude toward TV snack/fast‐food ads.

Reducing the volume, exposure and negative impacts of advertising for foods high in fat, sugar and salt to children: A systematic review of the evidence from statutory and self-regulatory actions and educational measures

“…Three studies used cross-sectional survey designs (Buijzen, 2009;Harris and Bargh, 2009;Yu, 2011), and nine studies used experimental or quasi-experimental designs (Bickham and Slaby, 2012;Dhar and Baylis, 2011;Dixon et al, 2007;Ferguson et al, 2012;Goldberg, 1990;Gorn and Goldberg, 1982;Hindin et al, 2004;Potvin Kent et al, 2011a, 2012.…”

“…Twenty-eight studies collected data or obtained commercial monitoring data on food advertising, and used this information to assess advertising content, usually over time, to determine the success of actions (Adams et al, 2012;AFGC, 2012;ASC, 2010;Batada and Wootan, 2009;Brindal et al, 2011;Effertz and Wilcke, 2012;EU Pledge, 2010, 2011, 2012FTC, 2012;Hebden et al, 2011;Kim et al, 2012;King et al, 2011;Kolish and Hernandez, 2012;Kunkel et al, 2009;Ofcom, 2008Ofcom, , 2010Potvin Kent et al, 2011b;Powell et al, 2010;Quilliam et al, 2011;Rudd Center, 2010a, 2010b, 2011, 2012a, 2012bSpeers et al, 2011;Taras and Gage, 1995). The aim of these studies was to determine whether advertising content had changed as new actions were implemented.…”

“…These actions were aimed at reducing the volume of and children's exposure to advertising of foods HFSS, but did not explicitly focus on wider impacts. Six studies reported on educational measures to curb the influence of advertising for foods HFSS (Bickham and Slaby, 2012;Buijzen, 2009;Ferguson et al, 2012;Harris and Bargh, 2009;Hindin et al, 2004;Yu, 2011). These included media literacy interventions with parents or children, and parental communication with children relating to food advertising, and were aimed at improving diet quality, attitudes and beliefs towards food advertising.…”

“…Actions included total bans on all advertising, bans on advertising of foods HFSS during specific hours, length of advertisements, and advertising of healthy food products, with the aim of reducing the volume of, and children's exposure to, advertising of foods HFSS, Body Mass Index, health costs, and improving diet. Twenty-five studies reported on the impact of self-regulation by industry (AFGC, 2012;ASC, 2010;Batada and Wootan, 2009;Brindal et al, 2011;Effertz and Wilcke, 2012;EU Pledge, 2010, 2011, 2012FTC, 2012;Hebden et al, 2011Kolish and Hernandez, 2012;Kunkel et al, 2009;Potvin Kent et al 2011a, 2011b, 2012Powell et al, 2010;Quilliam et al, 2011;Rudd Center, 2010a, 2010b, 2011, 2012a, 2012bSpeers et al, 2011). Actions included voluntary codes not to advertise foods HFSS during children's programming or directly to children under 12 years.…”

“…The majority of studies used a validated tool, or one used in previous studies. Five studies were limited to broad product categories such as 'candy' or 'cereal' (FTC, 2012;Rudd Center, 2010, 2010b, 2011, 2012a. Six studies used food companies' own nutrient criteria to assess advertising content (ASC, 2010;EU Pledge, 2010, 2011, 2012Kolish and Hernandez, 2012).…”