The amount of money that the food industry spends on advertising geared toward children is astonishing. Some estimate the number runs close to $15 billion a year. It's hard not to turn on the TV or go to the grocery store without seeing animated characters, toys, or partnerships with the hottest kids' movie. This is obviously done to draw their attention and create an emotional connection to the product and brand, preferably for life.
Advertisers focus on marketing to children for a variety of reasons. First, they influence purchasing decisions today, mainly through nagging and temper tantrums. There is also a long-term component to this strategy, brand building and customer loyalty. One day, these children will be buying for themselves, and eventually, their own kids. Children see, on average, 15 food-based commercials daily, according to KFF.org. Consider that over an entire childhood, the amount of advertisements will total in the tens of thousands, assuming the aforementioned averages.
While food shopping recently, I decided to take a moment and look at some of the marketing geared toward children. It's not hard to miss that almost every packaged item, geared to any age, are plastered with marketing claims and labels. These are always on the front of the package while the nutrition facts and ingredients are hidden somewhere more discreet, like the back or bottom and needing a magnifying glass to read.
When you look at the marketing that is directed to kids, did you ever notice how large the movie or cartoon character is? It's usually the whole front of the box while the actual food product is non-existent or much less prominent. If we are lucky enough to see the actual food on the package, it is often photoshopped or bolstered in some way to make the food looks better than it really is, like using glue instead of milk to make the cereal "float" better.
TV advertisements are highly influential for all people, but particularly children. When kids are in the zone watching their favorite cartoon or show, they are likely in the alpha state, which is a highly suggestible brain state, that is typically used in hypnosis to reach a person's subconscious mind without any gatekeeper. While the responsibility of proper nutrition lies firmly on the shoulders of the parents, these powerful marketing strategies are working against us in a big way, influencing our children against our will.
What steps can you take? First, shopping at stores with healthier products like Wild By Nature, Trader Joe's, or Whole Foods can often eliminate the worst of the food choices, so your child doesn't even have the option of poor nutrition. It is also important to understand what they're watching on TV. You can choose advertisement-free programs or stations or focus only on stations that have rules about advertising to children. Finally, it makes sense to talk to your child about proper nutrition and the importance of avoiding processed foods and dangerous chemicals in the food supply. With up to 20 advertisements a day reaching your child, you can never talk to them too much about healthy food.
Advertisers focus on marketing to children for a variety of reasons. First, they influence purchasing decisions today, mainly through nagging and temper tantrums. There is also a long-term component to this strategy, brand building and customer loyalty. One day, these children will be buying for themselves, and eventually, their own kids. Children see, on average, 15 food-based commercials daily, according to KFF.org. Consider that over an entire childhood, the amount of advertisements will total in the tens of thousands, assuming the aforementioned averages.
While food shopping recently, I decided to take a moment and look at some of the marketing geared toward children. It's not hard to miss that almost every packaged item, geared to any age, are plastered with marketing claims and labels. These are always on the front of the package while the nutrition facts and ingredients are hidden somewhere more discreet, like the back or bottom and needing a magnifying glass to read.
When you look at the marketing that is directed to kids, did you ever notice how large the movie or cartoon character is? It's usually the whole front of the box while the actual food product is non-existent or much less prominent. If we are lucky enough to see the actual food on the package, it is often photoshopped or bolstered in some way to make the food looks better than it really is, like using glue instead of milk to make the cereal "float" better.
TV advertisements are highly influential for all people, but particularly children. When kids are in the zone watching their favorite cartoon or show, they are likely in the alpha state, which is a highly suggestible brain state, that is typically used in hypnosis to reach a person's subconscious mind without any gatekeeper. While the responsibility of proper nutrition lies firmly on the shoulders of the parents, these powerful marketing strategies are working against us in a big way, influencing our children against our will.
What steps can you take? First, shopping at stores with healthier products like Wild By Nature, Trader Joe's, or Whole Foods can often eliminate the worst of the food choices, so your child doesn't even have the option of poor nutrition. It is also important to understand what they're watching on TV. You can choose advertisement-free programs or stations or focus only on stations that have rules about advertising to children. Finally, it makes sense to talk to your child about proper nutrition and the importance of avoiding processed foods and dangerous chemicals in the food supply. With up to 20 advertisements a day reaching your child, you can never talk to them too much about healthy food.
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