Blame It On the A-a-a-ads

OK, let’s get the bad news out of the way first…commercials can increase obesity rates in youth. Interestingly, the total amount of TV children watched had little effect. But the more advertising the small fries see during that TV time, the more likely they are to be overweight, UCLA researchers found.

Children generally squirm and wiggle around while watching the tube, so they can rack up a bit of physical activity while viewing, the researchers noted. Also, kids who watch sports may be inspired to try them out themselves. A moderate amount of regular programming gets the green light from these scientists, while the commercials take the blame for the commonly discussed TV/weight gain link.

Foods high in sugar and fast foods account for nearly three in every four food ads during children’s programming, another study found. That’s what the UCLA researchers think is the issue, especially since youngsters see about 30 hours of food-focused ads each year.

Time for a TiVo to skip through the commercials? Or perhaps a distraction: my commercial/TV workout!

(Image from Kiwi Mag Online)

Discount in Aisle One

Now for the good news: when shoppers can get a deal on fruits and vegetables at the grocery store, they buy more than one pound more of produce per week! Research in the past has shown that lowering the price of more nutritious foods persuades eaters to bypass the less healthy options, but this study, published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, adds another interesting component. The rise in produce purchases may actually stay in place even after the prices return to their previous (higher) levels. Shoppers created new, positive habits or found new favorites!

In this New Zealand-based study, shoppers either received discounts on healthful foods, nutrition education, a combination of discounts with education or no treatment (control). Those saving cash received markdowns of 12.5 percent. The discount group bought almost two pounds more healthy food than their educated and control group peers and continued to do so even six months after the study ended. In this experiment, nutrition education did little to improve shopper’s eating habits.

Perhaps, eventually, instead of subsidizing in the current method, the government, farmers and dietitians/physicians can team up to create a new plan to subsidize more nutritious fruits and vegetables? These results seem to show that people shop more with their wallets in mind than their stomachs or brains.

With the current economy, do you think the results of this study may be different today than, say, ten years ago? Do you have any creative ideas for pushing shoppers towards smarter purchases (and steer clear of the Big Gulp and Family Size bag of pork rinds?)

(Image from EL Civics)

And just a friendly reminder to all of you who got walloped with a massive snow storm this past week (or past two or three weeks…), be careful and safe out there when shoveling! If you use proper form, are in decent condition and take fairly frequent breaks, shoveling can be an excellent workout, however.

Water cooler conversation starter: In what could be one of the most disturbing TV show concepts ever, BBC is launching a series called “I’m Hotter Than My Daughter.” Women that are nearly Grandmas brag about their attractiveness and desirability—which they claim is much more apparent in themselves than their offspring. If that doesn’t spark insecurity in the daughters I don’t know what will! But that’s only my opinion.

Would you watch this show? Is it harmless fun or a sign that society is headed down the drain?