Children admit to advt influence

Hindustan Times, Jaipur, March 14, 2009

Eight-Five Per cent children accept that they are influenced by advertisements to consume unhealthy food products and 35 per cent parents consider advertisement as the main culprit for increasing dement of junk food among children.

However, both school administration and parents are mainly responsible for feeding the young generation with junk food. 63 per cent of the schools, where canteen exists, junk food is sold without any restriction and 86 per cent parents prefer packed food items as gift on festivals / occasions. These findings emerged out of a sample survey titled ‘The Junk food Trap’ carried out by Centre for Consumer Action, Research & Training, a Jaipur based consumer advocacy group, as a part of a global strategy to advocate against marketing of unhealthy foods on the eve of the World Consumer Rights Day (WCRD), 2009.

Even as majority of children get influenced by advertisements and consume junk food, parents, who succumb to their demands, are also responsible for inculcating unhealthy food habits, according to a recent study.

The study 'Junk Food Trap', which was carried out by the CUTS Centre for Consumer Action Research & Training (CUTSCART), a Jaipur based consumer advocacy group, found that 85 per cent children are influenced by advertisements.

While around 35 per cent parents blame it on advertisements for the increasing demand of junk food among children, the study said both school administration and parents are equally responsible for the trend.

"Around 63 per cent of the schools have canteens, which sell junk food without any restriction and 86 per cent parents prefer packed food items as gift on festivals and other occasions," it said.

The survey, conducted in 30 government and private schools across the city, is part of a global strategy by CUTSCART to advocate against the marketing of unhealthy foods on the eve of the World Consumer Rights Day (WCRD) on March 15.

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