BETHLEHEM, Pa., Nov 20, 2008 (UPI via COMTEX) -- A ban on fast-food ads in the
United States could reduce the number of overweight children by as much as 18
percent, U.S. researchers said.
Shin-Yi Chou of Lehigh University, Inas Rashad of Georgia State University and
Michael Grossman of City University of New York Graduate Center measured the
number of hours of fast-food television advertising messages viewed by children
on a weekly basis.
The study, published in the Journal of Law and Economics, found that a ban on
fast-food television advertisements during children's programming would reduce
the number of overweight children ages 3-11 by 18 percent, while also lowering
the number of overweight adolescents ages 12-18 by 14 percent.
"We have known for some time that childhood obesity has gripped our culture but
little empirical research has been done that identifies television advertising
as a possible cause," Chou said in a statement. "Hopefully, this line of
research can lead to a serious discussion about the type of policies that can
curb America's obesity epidemic."
However, the researchers added that although such a ban would be effective, they
question whether such a high degree of government involvement -- and the costs
of implementing such policies -- is a practical option.
URL: www.upi.com
Copyright 2008 by United Press International