In the age of technology it is not uncommon to see children with their own televisions in their bedroom. 20% of children under 6 years old have their own television. It does not seem alarming at all, but if we analyzed the messages that arrive daily, we would consider the option of withdrawing it. If we focus only on the food-related advertising, calls for consumerism are overwhelming. From "healthy" foods that turn out not to be so healthy, to offering "happiness" in jars full of sugar. And it is alarming to see that most of the unhealthy ads are directed at our children.
Big companies are clear about it: childhood obesity is good business for their future economy. Young children who do not have good eating habits will develop addiction to less healthy foods. These They turn out to be the most beneficial for the business that promotes them. 41,6% of children between 6 and 9 years old are already diagnosed overweight or obese; a real outrage.
Alarming data
Not only children receive these messages loaded with lies; parents also fall into the trap of advertising. A) Yes, most foods that are advertised as healthy tend to be the most harmful to health. However, we make other mistakes that are easier to avoid. While is true that the marketing of large companies is capable of deceiving us, we as adults should know how to avoid his call.
71% of Spanish children eat while watching television. Not focusing your full attention on what you eat has been shown to lead to larger amounts of food being eaten. In the case of children, in addition to not being aware of what they eat, they will be seeing sweets and pastries on the screen. And if we let them choose, they would probably throw the vegetable plate in the trash and get on the screen to get what you want to sell them.
What can we adults do?
The first thing to know is that WHO is getting involved. Marta Moreno, professor of environment and society at UNED stated that a third of obese children would not be obese if you weren't exposed to screen advertising. In addition, he explained that television interferes with sleep schedules, which also alters eating habits.
Cecilia Diaz, a researcher at the University of Oviedo and coordinator of the National Survey of Eating Habits of Spaniards, has urged to protect the little ones from the influence that advertising has on their consumerism. Young children are more vulnerable and fall for lies, so they should be more protected. The difference between advertisements aimed at children and adults has also been studied; children's advertisements are loaded with false happiness camouflaged in fantasy.
Parents are the first to interfere between advertising and our children. Marketing companies know how to sell; it's their job. There is still a long way to go until they remove all their lies, so we must act now. And the main thing is the withdrawal of television and screens, whatever they may be from the hands of minors. We must promote physical activity and for that we must be an example to follow. If as parents our weekend plan is to be sitting on the couch watching television, let's not expect our children to do the opposite tomorrow.
There are many activities available to do as a family, both inside and outside the home. And best of all, they keep all screens out of sight. It is important to strive today for rewards tomorrow. There is no greater satisfaction than having healthy children with a healthy lifestyleAlthough television sells us that the best satisfactions are hidden inside wrappers and covered in chocolate.