Child obesity begins with television

In their ideal kitchen, they find cereals and breads stuffed with chocolate for breakfast, cakes and sweets cravings, and the fridge was full of sugary sodas. They are between 7 and 14 years, a third TV in his room and they spend an average of 48 to 1 pm each day (2 h 54 on weekends). The consumer association UFC-Que Choisir has interviewed 352 of these young people, cutting their statements with those of their parents, to know what products to television advertisements steer their choice.

No big surprise: the fat and sugar are acclaimed. And, coincidentally, "the overwhelming majority (89%) of the products highlighted in advertising for children has no nutritional value," denounces the association said that 14 million European children are overweight that more than 3 million are obese and the number of people overweight or obese in France increased by 5.7% annually. Dairy sweet cheese and fat are particularly those that occur most often on the screen between two cartoons. They are closely followed by breakfast cereals not the good old porridge but "the most sugary cereals." Then there are the sweets.

"Lies." Early in the morning or teatime, when they are most often alone watching TV, children have no chance to hear of fruits and vegetables, water, whole grains , legumes or nuts. "Only 11% of spots present action in the context of a meal, is the UFC-Que Choisir. The importance of rhythm traditional food is not relayed effectively." To succumb to the children most reasonable, the voice manages to boast once both the nutritional benefits of chocolate spread or fruit yogurt. "In most cases, these arguments are misleading in terms of product features " says the association.

The problem, according to the study of the UFC is that the pantry ideal young couch potatoes are not so far removed from what their parents meet in reality. Apparently, they would yield more easily on breakfast cereals and pastries taste. They succeed, however, to impose a little more milk products and would be more intransigent about sodas between meals. Still, "the overall, 60% of products preferred by children and more than half of the products in the closets are too sweet or too fatty."

"Double meaning." "We must educate parents, but also put in a situation easier, advocated Serge Hercberg, nutritionist and engineering plans national health and nutrition. For this, manufacturers must improve the nutritional quality of their products. "

A charter between the government and food industry wishing to be signed in the first half of 2007. Vendors of prepared meals and biscuits could undertake to make less fat, less sugar, less salt, and do not communicate on cereals fatter and sweeter for prime time. "They could also s' commit to limit portion sizes, not to advertise on the airwaves they sell twenty industrial pastries for the price of two, and do not use health claim dual meaning," suggests Serge Hercberg.

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