Judy Buttriss
Children's diets in the spotlight again
British Nutrition Foundation
positive news reductions fat intakes uk evident national diet nutrition survey see marriott buttriss 2003 summary tempered concerns increasing prevalence overweight among british children childrens eating patterns physical activity levels general impact may future public health concerns fuelled number government initiatives including review evidence concerning promotion food children hastings et al 2003 commissioned food standards agency review evidence base concerning physical activity health commissioned chief medical officer publication awaited announcement melanie johnson public health minister 2 million devoted funding 8 pilot food schools projects focusing example lunch boxes vending tuck shops work lunch boxes managed department health british nutrition foundation extent food advertising forms promotion influence childrens eating habits attracted polarised views diametrically opposing views reflected positions taken need extent regulations advertising directed children discussed previous issues nutrition bulletin also drawn attention potential using advertising process encourage children discerning information presented develop sense media literacy buttriss et al 2003 jackson 2003 two systematic reviews hastings colleagues identified total 330 000 references 201 met relevance criteria half 101 met methodological criteria review formed focus review studied detail found variable quality summary design studies capable establishing causal link food promotion food knowledge preferences behaviour weight evidence suggested food promotion may little influence childrens perceptions constitutes healthy diet reasonably robust evidence food promotion influences food preferences food purchase related behaviour evidence effect consumption behaviour found modest terms diet health related behaviour influence food promotion judged small statistically significant although effect advertising could distinguished general effect tv viewing 5 6 studies indeed little information available effect advertising compared influences childrens food behaviour diet see buttriss 2004 detailed summary pp 35 evaluating findings important note handful studies conducted north america 2030 years ago point made clear publicity followed publication report comment made differences nature tv advertising uk today usa 1970s 1980s example channels uk carry advertising likely differences frequency occurrence criticism made reviews authors much available evidence hours tv watching used proxy exposure commercials future studies aspect design needs sharpened several articles issue nutrition bulletin focus efforts help children eat healthily sara stanner reports efforts encourage assist nurseries provision healthy balanced menus children care stanner 2004 pp 67 lucy cooke reports work conducted among preschool children designed identify ways increasing childrens liking consumption broader repertoire fruits vegetables cooke 2004 pp 3135 interestingly colleagues found provision rewards form stickers might actually counterproductive encouraging children adopt healthier eating patterns another area attracting significant attention need reduce sodium content foods article julie orsi describes adjustments made childrens range foods comply inhouse criteria salt fat orsi 2004 pp 5759 illustrates efforts made number manufacturers retailers work towards government targets salt reduction stakeholder meeting salt reduction held november 2003 chaired chief medical officer industry representatives called government play part raising profile salt consumer agenda basis shoppers choose lower salt options unless convinced need meanwhile many sectors continue gradually reduce sodium content foods across product range way usually imperceptible consumers hence helps gradually adjust national palate salt