The effects of television advertisements for foods on children’s dietary choices, in relation with their oral health status.

Doctoral Dissertation uoadl:1325693 340 Read counter

Unit:
Department of Dentistry
Βιβλιοθήκη Οδοντιατρικής
Deposit date:
2016-12-01
Year:
2016
Author:
Gatou Tarsitsa
Dissertation committee:
ΜΑΜΑΗ-ΧΩΜΑΤΑ Ε., Αναπληρώτρια Καθηγήτρια – Επιβλέπουσα
ΚΩΛΕΤΣΗ-ΚΟΥΝΑΡΗ Χ., Αναπληρώτρια Καθηγήτρια – Μέλος 3μελούς
ΠΟΛΥΧΡΟΝΟΠΟΥΛΟΥ Α., Καθηγήτρια – Μέλος 3μελούς
ΚΑΒΒΑΔΙΑ ΑΙΚ., Αναπληρώτρια Καθηγήτρια
ΓΚΙΖΑΝΗ Σ., Επίκουρη Καθηγήτρια
ΠΑΠΑΪΩΑΝΝΟΥ Β., Επίκουρος Καθηγητής
ΒΑΣΙΛΟΠΟΥΛΟΣ Σ., Επίκουρος Καθηγητής
Original Title:
Μελέτη της επίδρασης των τηλεοπτικών διαφημίσεων τροφίμων στις διατροφικές επιλογές παιδιών και συσχέτιση με την κατάσταση της στοματικής τους υγείας
Languages:
Greek
Translated title:
The effects of television advertisements for foods on children’s dietary choices, in relation with their oral health status.
Summary:
Study #1
Objectives: To investigate the extent and nature of food advertising to children on Greek television, focusing on the potential harmful effect of the foods advertised on oral health. Methods: Advertisements broadcast on six TV-channels during children’s peak viewing times within the period May-June 2010 were recorded (166.7 hours). Each advertisement was coded according to: day, type of program in which the ad appeared, type of product advertised and the use of promotional techniques. Foods were subdivided according to their sugar and/or acid content as potentially harmful and non-harmful to teeth. Results: Food advertisements had an average frequency of 8.0ads/hour during children’s peak viewing times, and higher frequency on weekends and during children focused programs (p<0.05). 44.7% of these deemed to be potentially harmful to teeth, and 15.0% used at least one of the assessed promotional techniques. The advertisements for foods potentially harmful for teeth were more likely to be shown during children focused programs (OR 2.92, 95%CI 2.04-4.16) and to promise a free gift with purchase (OR 35.43, 95%CI 10.83-115.88). Conclusions: Children are exposed to a great volume of TV messages that encourage the consumption of foods potentially harmful for teeth, which intensely use persuasive techniques proved to affect their preferences and purchases requests.

Study #2
Objectives: To investigate the short-term influence of the advertising of cariogenic foods on children’s dietary preferences, and the possible moderating effect of several factors. Methods: One hundred and eighty three children aged 11-12 years were exposed to advertisements showing sugary food and non-food items, in a within-subject counterbalanced design. Their preferences for unhealthy and healthy foods were measured following both sessions. Information on their eating behaviour dietary, leisure activities and socio-demographic details were obtained for each child. Their DMFT index, their body weight and height were also recorded. A generalized linear mixed model was used to examine the differences in food preferences between experimental conditions, and the moderating effects of the other factors assessed. Results: Exposure to food advertisements significantly decreased the selection of healthy foods. Children with more caries experience, as well as those who watch more television were more responsive to food advertising. Conclusions: Food advertisements can divert, for a short time, children's preference over healthy food choices, and could lead to changes in their eating habits, which may put them at higher risk of dental diseases and obesity.
Main subject category:
Health Sciences
Keywords:
food advertising, dental caries, eating behavior, school-aged children
Index:
No
Number of index pages:
0
Contains images:
Yes
Number of references:
400
Number of pages:
203
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