Parents' and Advertisements' Impact on Kids' Eating Choices

In the article by Boyland and Halford, the way television advertisements for food influence children’s opinions on what they want to eat is examined. It provides shocking information about children’s television viewing habits compared with the quantity and quality of foods that they eat, which in turn effect their weight patterns. I thought it was really interesting that studies conducted support the idea that the positive correlation between childhood obesity and watching television is not because watching television is a sedentary activity, but rather because of the food advertising that is done on TV. Even in the UK, where restrictions were put into place for TV advertisements for unhealthy foods aimed towards children, kids are still exposed to more advertisements for unhealthy foods than healthy foods. The point that children are majorly influenced by brands advertised is something that I have realized is true. I remember when I was little I would request that my parents buy Kraft mac and cheese, Juicy Juice, Sunny D, and other brand name products. Children definitely do have an impact on what food and drink products their parents buy, so targeting children in advertisements is a smart but mischievous move by large food companies.

Another interesting point that both articles made was that when given the choice of different foods offered in McDonald’s packaging or other packaging, kids would choose the McDonald’s product, even if it was a product not sold by McDonalds, like carrots. Because kids are so familiarized with the brand McDonald’s, they think that the food in that packaging tastes better, even if it is the same food as the food in the other packaging. The way that brand names influence children’s eating habits can be extremely detrimental to their health, as many of the brands they learn are for unhealthy food products. Could there be a way to counteract the influence that unhealthy brands have had on children's eating decisions?

In the Lynch article, parents’ decisions to sneak vegetables into their children’s food are assessed. While it is a way to ensure that their children are getting the nutrients that they need, it is not familiarizing kids with healthy foods. As Lynch says, these strategies are “only effective in achieving short-term goals, but are counterproductive to building desirable long-term behaviors.” It is definitely a smart idea to start familiarizing kids with healthy foods when they are young, to assist them in developing healthy eating habits for life. I agree with Lynch that parents should not be tricking their kids into eating healthy foods, because it will only make them wary of trusting their parents and won’t make them desire to eat vegetables in the future. Parents should be encouraging kids to try new healthy foods, and led away from unhealthy foods, rather than telling their kids it is okay to eat spaghetti for every meal and deceiving them by pureeing vegetables and mixing them into the sauce. This sends kids the wrong message. Parents should be helping their kids develop healthy habits, rather than misguiding them.