Could the Internet Hold the Key to Curbing the Obesity Epidemic in Kids?
var era_rc = { ERADomain: ‘npicenter.firstlightera.com’ }; • General Info. • Key Contacts • Events • Products By Kimberly Beauchamp, ND Healthnotes Newswire (September 10, 2009)—Internet-based computer advertising games—or advergames, as they’re called—might be a key component in turning the tide of the childhood obesity epidemic. According to an Institute of Medicine report, television advertising is a well-established medium for “influencing food preferences and purchase requests for high-calorie, low-nutrient foods, patterns that are linked to childhood obesity.” Less is known about the impact of Internet advertising and games in these areas. If you advertise it, they’ll eat it Thirty low income African-American children (average age 9.5 years) were assigned to play one of two different versions of a video game. One version rewarded the children with more points for having their video character eat healthy foods like bananas, apples, orange juice, and baby carrots. The other version
