By Kerry Gallagher
The American Academy of Pediatrics reports that “screen media consumption is inversely correlated with fruit and vegetable intake and directly correlated with energy-dense, nutrient-poor snacks, drinks, and food.” More fast food, sugar beverages, candy and cereals are advertised in African American, Hispanic, and low-income communities. Overall, unhealthy food advertising in 13- to 17-year-olds is also correlated with development of media-driven norms that supersede healthier family norms. Social media influencers can sway teenagers toward unhealthy choices.
Parents can have consistent conversations with their children about:
- their nutritional needs and how to meet them each day to ensure they are feeling their best
- the motivations of the advertisers and how to use their media literacy skills to critically consider advertisements
Read more about the impact of media on youth health habits here.