The Role of Media in The Role of Media in Childhood ObesityChildhood Obesity

A Kaiser Family Foundation Forum

February 2004

Children & TeensChildren & Teens

Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National CenSource: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Health Statistics, ter for Health Statistics, Health, United States, 2003, Table 69.Health, United States, 2003, Table 69.

Proportion of overweight children in the United States

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

6-11-year-olds 12-19-year-olds

19631963--19701970

19761976--19801980

19991999--20002000

4.2 %4.2 % 6.5 %6.5 %

15.3 %15.3 %

4.6 %4.6 % 5.0 %5.0 %

15.5 %15.5 %

Children & TeensChildren & TeensProportion of children who are overweight,1999-2000

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

2-5-year-olds 6-19-year-olds

10 %10 %15 %15 %

Children & TeensChildren & TeensProportion of children who are overweight or at risk of overweight, 1999-2000

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

2-5-year-olds 6-19-year-olds

20 %20 %

30 %30 %

Childhood ObesityChildhood Obesity

Majority of research finds a link between Majority of research finds a link between the amount of time children spend the amount of time children spend watching TV and their body weight.watching TV and their body weight.

Childhood ObesityChildhood Obesity

Most research does Most research does notnot indicate that time indicate that time spent with media displaces time spent in spent with media displaces time spent in physical activities.physical activities.

Childhood ObesityChildhood Obesity

Insufficient evidence on whether media Insufficient evidence on whether media depictions of body type influence depictions of body type influence childhood obesity.childhood obesity.

Childhood ObesityChildhood Obesity

Food advertising to children is extensive Food advertising to children is extensive and effective and may well be an important and effective and may well be an important mechanism through which childrenmechanism through which children’’s s media use contributes to obesity.media use contributes to obesity.

Childhood ObesityChildhood Obesity

Media can play a positive role in Media can play a positive role in addressing childhood obesity.addressing childhood obesity.

Childhood ObesityChildhood Obesity

Major policy options for consideration:Major policy options for consideration:

Reduce time kids spend with TVReduce time kids spend with TV

Reduce food ads targeted at kidsReduce food ads targeted at kids

Increase support for positive media Increase support for positive media campaignscampaigns

The Role of Media in The Role of Media in Childhood ObesityChildhood Obesity

A Kaiser Family Foundation Forum

February 2004