New research doesn't prove a link, but its authors think music stars popular with teens may be contributing to the obesity epidemic by endorsing fatty fast food, snacks and soda.
The study shows that 20 of the hottest teen-music heartthrobs have done TV ads or other promotions for products nutritionists consider unhealthy. Included were videos of company-sponsored concerts.
Of 107 food and drink endorsements included in the study, few were for nutritious foods, the researchers said.
Lead author Marie Bragg, a food policy and obesity researcher at New York University, singled out one "natural whole-food product." That was South Korean pop star Psy's "crackin' gangnam-style" TV ad for Wonderful pistachios, shown during the Super Bowl in 2013.
About 80 per cent of celebrity-endorsed food ads were high-calorie products including snack chips and chocolate, or fast-food restaurants including McDonalds, Chili's and A&W. Most of the beverage ads were for sugary soft drinks.
The list includes Perry endorsements for Pepsi and Popchips; Justin Timberlake ads or promotions for Chili's, McDonald's and Pepsi; and will.i.am ads or campaigns linked with Coca-Cola, Doritos, Dr. Pepper and Pepsi.
The study was published on Monday in the journal Pediatrics.
Ads can influence behaviour, and the researchers say the results have important implications, given the nation's high obesity rates. Government statistics show that about 20 per cent of US teens are obese and even more are overweight.
"Celebrities should leverage their influence to promote more healthful messages," the researchers said.
They selected music performers who have appeared on Teen Choice Award shows and who had hits on the Billboard Hot 100 Charts in 2013 and 2014. They included ads from 2000 to 2014.
They cited previous studies linking food and beverage marketing with excess eating and childhood obesity. Bragg noted a 2013 study from Australia that found sports celebrity endorsements influenced 11-year-old boys to buy fast food.
Bragg said it would be unrealistic to expect teens to only eat healthy foods, or to ask celebrities to only endorse those products. She said "moderation" and "a better balance" of ads would be ideal.
- Tanner, L. AAP, Stuff.co.nz
Why might junk food be advertised more than healthy food?
ReplyDeleteBecause I think a'lot of children love junk food and their parents want to make their children happy.
DeleteJunk food is also more popular than healthy,sometimes.
Good evidence, Trinity. Junk food is more popular than healthy food. Why do you think that is?
DeleteBecause i am pretty sure junk food is much easier to sell.Think about it if you heard an add on healthy food and then one on yummy sour cream and chives chips witch one would you choose? well i am pretty sure most people would choose the chip one.Zara.G
DeleteI think because it is good for then and junk food is better than heath food and people think heath food is not as good as junk food.
DeleteLot's of people like junk food way more than healthy food and they might get mad if they see healthy food advertised because they don't like the healthy food and want junk food.
DeleteI like the way you've added evidence to support your opinion Zara. Perhaps junk food is easier to sell.
DeleteI think that because I know a'lot of children who love lollies and sweet stuff and there are very large companies and shops that sell fatty food eg. MacDonald's and Coke'a'Cola.
DeleteGood consideration of how others might feel about this issue, William. Perhaps there is more demand for junk food, so that's what people want to see advertised.
DeleteWhy might this research have focused on pop stars and teenagers instead of other celebrities or age groups?
ReplyDeleteThe pount why they are using teenagers and pop stars is if people think they like that they will try it.
Deletebecause teens like to lisen to music and a lot of teens look up to them so if there hero is telling them to drink of eat something they will beleve it is good
DeleteExcellent point, Harry. Maybe the advertisers are thinking that teens are easier to influence than adults because teens look up to those pop stars.
DeleteDescribe three potential consequences of pop stars promoting more healthy food.
ReplyDeleteNew Zealand has a name for child obesity and this might be one reason why.
DeleteGood point Harry, childhood obesity is an issue in New Zealand. How does this relate to the question?
DeleteLess people will like that popstar
DeleteI agree with Harry this might help us and other countries to lower obesity.
DeleteTeens would become less overweight and more fit because teens want to eat what their stars advertised.
DeleteInteresting point, Mitchell. Why do you think a celebrity would become less popular for advertising healthy food?
DeleteWell if you heard that Katy Perry was advertising kumara chips then Taylor Swift was advertising tasty potato chips, I think I would still be going for potato chips because I like potato chips better.
DeleteGreat detail Ben. Do you think it might make a difference if they were celebrities you actually liked? What about the All Blacks supporting Gatorade or a racing driver promoting a particular brand of potato chips?
Deletewell I think it would make a big difference if it was a famous person I liked
Deletei think it is still fine because it is there chose what they do. so what is your problem? if you disagree.
ReplyDeleteRemember to click 'reply' Zac. "What is your problem?" might not be the best rhetorical question to ask. What might a better question be?
Deletei feel like more people get food sickness from following there favorite pop star to be like them to like the food that they like but i bet that the popstars don't even like the food product that they do
ReplyDeleteThanks for your contribution Myro. I think there are some good ideas here, but they are a bit difficult to follow because you haven't proofread your comment before posting.
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