Abstract
BackgroundThe inclusion of toys in food packages is a common marketing practice, and it is suspected of promoting obesogenic behaviours. This study aimed to determine whether toys packaged with food are indeed increasing the amount of food eaten by children, and if this effect is enhanced by contemporary exposure to TV and/or advertising.MethodsA total of 600 children (balanced according to gender and age groups, 3–6 and 7–10 years old) were randomized in three school facilities in Argentina, Brazil and Mexico and exposed to food (snacks) alone or food associated with toys in an experimental setting. All of the children received the same meal at lunchtime. The products were packages in which chocolate was associated with toys in an egg-shaped container partially filled by chocolate. The children were asked to eat ad libitum for 20 minutes during the afternoon break. In addition, the children were randomized into two groups and either shown or not shown a movie cartoon, with three different levels of exposure to commercials in the TV viewing condition (1, 2 or 3 advertisements).ResultsNo significant differences emerged between the “toys” and “no toys” groups even after taking into account exposure to TV, commercials and other confounding factors.ConclusionsThe inclusion of toys in food packages was not shown per se to lead to an increase in the caloric intake of children.
Highlights
There is growing concern regarding the rapidly increasing rate of obesity in childhood, which has become epidemic in some areas and is on the rise in others, with an estimated 17.6 million obese children worldwide; there are increasing trends in emerging economies
Recent literature and scientific research has focused on television and advertising and assessed their influence on children’s eating behaviours, with results showing an increased daily caloric intake
Snacking during screen time is often associated with high, energydense products, undermining the healthy balance of energy intake [11,12]
Summary
There is growing concern regarding the rapidly increasing rate of obesity in childhood, which has become epidemic in some areas and is on the rise in others, with an estimated 17.6 million obese children worldwide; there are increasing trends in emerging economies. Recent literature and scientific research has focused on television and advertising and assessed their influence on children’s eating behaviours, with results showing an increased daily caloric intake. Ample studies investigating the effects of TV viewing on total energy intake have concluded that there is a positive effect of increased screen time on energy intake in children and adolescents [8,9]. Other studies have considered the short- and long-term effects of advertising on children’s food intake and the promotion of unhealthy diets [4,10], demonstrating a causal link between food consumption and television exposure and advertising [7]. This study aimed to determine whether toys packaged with food are increasing the amount of food eaten by children, and if this effect is enhanced by contemporary exposure to TV and/or advertising
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