A new report released today (February 1) from the Heart and Stroke Foundation examines the effects of marketing on the food choices of children and teenagers.

Donna Hastings, CEO with the Heart and Stroke for Alberta, explained that 71% of Albertans feel parents are at a disadvantage compared to commercial food and beverage makers, who purposefully target young people with advertisements.

"Our children are just being bombarded with ads for unhealthy food, all day every day. And 90% of those products marketed to kids and teens on TV are high in salt, fat and sugar."'

Hastings said the number of food advertisements is staggering.

"Collectively, kids aged 2 years old to 11 see 25 million food and beverage ads a year on their top ten favourite websites."

According to the report, the top five products marketed to kids between 2 and 11 are Pop Tarts, Frosted Flakes, McDonald's Happy Meals, Red Bull and Kraft Lunchables. Marketing for these products creates desire in children, who then place pressure on parents to buy and make unhealthy food choices for their kids. Those unhealthy foods can be detrimental for a child's health and nutrition.

The report suggests regulations from the federal government on food marketing to children is the solution, and Hastings said this is meant to support parents as they try to instill healthy eating habits. In particular, Hastings said parents in Airdrie are well positioned to help their children make healthy choices.

"Residents of Airdrie actually are quite privileged with access to major grocery stores, and so we'd encourage parents to avail themselves of healthy eating opportunities."

 

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