Michael D. Mink, MPA, Health Promotion, Education, and Behavior, University of South Carolina, 220 Stoneridge Drive, Ste 204, Columbia, SC 29210, 803-251-6317, minkm@mailbox.sc.edu

Purpose: To assess the effects of television viewing as an environmental factor in obesity by comparing the nutrient content of food items endorsed by televised advertisements to the Recommended Daily Allowance (RDA).

Methods: A total of 79 food ads were observed during 16 hours of nationally syndicated television programming. Half of the viewing hours were targeted to young women and the other half to young men. The observer recorded the date and time of the program, the food item featured, the food ad sponsor, and the size of the servings endorsed for each advertisement.

Analysis: Food items featured in the observed ads were analyzed for nutrient content using the software program Nutritionist V and compared across gender groups using a t-test.

Results: On average, each food item contained 17% of the RDA for caloric intake. Over-represented nutrients (expressed as percent of RDA) included sodium (30%), protein (29%), fat (24%), and cholesterol (23%). Under-represented nutrients included calcium (12%), fiber (6%), vitamin C (4%), and vitamin E (1%). Male-targeted foods contained significantly higher amounts of alcohol (2 gm vs. 0 gm; p=0.000) but lower amounts of cholesterol (49 gm vs. 81 gm; p=0.002) than female-targeted foods.

Conclusion: The nutritional content of food items endorsed by televised food ads over-supplied nutrients associated with overweight and heart disease and under-supplied nutrients with protective factors. A diet that consists primarily of television-advertised food items would promote simultaneous overweight and malnutrition for both young men and young women.

Learning Objectives:

By the end of the presentation, learners will be able to…
• Describe the general nutrient content of foods featured in televised food advertisements.
• Recognize the differences between food ads targeted to young men and food ads targeted to young women.
• Articulate the ways in which televised food advertisements function as an environmental factor in the obesity epidemic.

Keywords: Nutrition, Obesity

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.