In an attempt to steer clear, if only for a few weeks, of the commess that is life in T&T, a number of headlines in the medical literature drew my attention last week. But it was the same. Depressing.The corrupting acts of dishonest but psychologically adroit advertisements aimed at children, the unending traffic pollution and the corrosive effects of unethical television programming are slowly undermining our health in sweet La Trinite.
The first headline was, "Ads boost children's appetite for sweet, fatty foods." UK researchers reported that the desire to eat junk food increased among six to 13-year-olds after they watched commercials about fast food and junk foods compared with when they saw advertisements for toys. The effect was higher among those who exceed 21 hours television viewing weekly.Essentially the British study confirmed the cumulative, sustained effect of food marketing on TV. The more children watch TV, the more susceptible they are to advertising.
Based on studies like this, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) finally called for a "ban on unhealthy food ads to children." The American organisation, the major advocate for children in the USA, published a policy statement in its journal, Pediatrics, that calls on lawmakers to ban advertisements of unhealthy foods to children, saying research has found that doing so would help prevent the development of overweight and obese children."We've created a perfect storm for childhood obesity: media, advertising and inactivity," said the lead author, Dr Victor Strasburg.The statement suggests limiting screen time and promoting good nutrition to children to prevent weight gain. The statement from the normally conservative and pro-business organisation surprised many.
Since formula is another risk factor for obesity, the question now is whether the AAP will follow its own recommendation and ban advertisements from formula companies from its own publications, as I asked it to do 25 years ago. Given the amount of money that the AAP receives from formula companies in advertising, that is hardly likely.TV advertising. Our lifeline to the "real" world. It was no surprise to read that "viewing TV before bedtime and watching violent content affect kids' sleep."
Preschoolers who watch violent content or view television before bedtime have more sleep problems, according to a study of 600 children published in Pediatrics. Children who used television, computers or video games after 7 pm reported more sleep issues like nightmares, repeated night wakings and daytime tiredness but watching violence at any time of the day was also associated with the same sleep problems. Children with televisions in their rooms watched more violent content and were more likely to have sleep problems.I suspect the same applies to adults, especially those who eat junk in bed.
Of particular interest to parents of children with asthma, living on the Eastern Main Road but also St James, Cocorite, Westmoorings, Glencoe and environs, if we ever have another Flugtag event scheduled on St Peter's Day, when the Carenage faithful close down the Western Main Road, is the finding that "stressful home, traffic pollution reduce lung function in children."Increasing levels of exposure to traffic pollution corresponded to a reduction in lung function of 10 to 12-year-old children living in high-stress homes, according to a study in the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine. Fortunately, researchers said that parental stress alone was not linked to lung function of children. No, that applies to their brains.Then we had confirmation of what we suspected all along: "Children most likely to get bitten by dogs." In the States around 4.7 million people, a majority of whom are children, suffer dog bites annually, mostly in summer and mainly to their faces. Unlike Trinidad, pets account for most of the bites.
An item of practical interest to new parents was the "Ban on drop-side cribs goes into effect today" headline. Starting from last week, drop-side cribs will no longer be available for sale in the USA. In December, the US Consumer Product Safety Commission voted to outlaw the manufacture, sale and resale of cribs following the deaths of more than 30 children over the past ten years. Look out for an influx of drop-side cribs in T&T now.Finally, that old bogie man, the cigarette companies (you just cannot keep a good smoke out), continue their valiant efforts to capture the young market, not only in developing countries like China and India but in the homeland.
A study appearing in the journal Nicotine and Tobacco Research suggests menthol cigarettes are promoted to blacks in a "predatory manner." "Menthol cigarette makers appear to target black youths," said the headline from Stanford University.Researchers, looking at California high schools, found that for every 10 per cent increase in the number of black students at a school, the price of Newport cigarettes was 12 per cent lower at nearby stores. There was also a six per cent increase in the proportion of advertising for the brand.
THOUGHTS
British study confirms themore children watch TV, themore susceptible they are toadvertising.
American Academy of Pedia-rics calls on lawmakers toban advertisements of un-healthy foods to children.
Children who used television,computers or video gamesafter 7 pm reported moresleep issues like nightmares.