[ad_1]
There is nothing new in flooding waves with enticing TV ads promoting junk food, especially for kids, but there is a disturbing trend in advertising for foods that targets African Americans and Hispanics. CGTN, May Lee, take a closer look.
If you watch television, advertising promoting junk food is familiar, but according to a recent study, African-American and Hispanic consumers in the United States are disproportionately exposed to advertising about junk food and sugary drinks.
The Rudd Center for Food Policy and Obesity at the University of Connecticut found that of the more than $ 1 billion spent annually on advertising for Blacks and Hispanics, 86% of Expenditures for black consumers and 82% for Hispanics were spent on junk food and sugary drinks. .
The food policy expert, Michael Roberts, has already been aware of this type of data, but the impact is no less shocking.
"I have been in this situation for a long time," said Roberts, "and I was amazed not only by the television advertising, but also by social media advertising, video games, and so on. "and it really caught me off guard. "
The advertising campaign is not the only problem for low-income communities of color. There is also the lack of healthy food options. These areas are called food deserts, places where there is no quality grocery store or healthy restaurant. Instead, the neighborhood is overrun with fast food chains and convenience stores.
This is where not-for-profit groups such as PHFE Women, Babies and Children and WIC come into play. They provide educational and nutritional services to low-income families, who often have higher health risks.
There are nearly 50 centers in Southern California serving more than 200,000 people each month … people like Maria Zarate, who has learned to make better choices for her children. But she is well aware of the tactics of the food industry.
"They do not worry about their health," says Zarate. "They do not worry about the problems they might cause them. They do not think about children at all. They just think they can make money, that's about it.
WIC dietician Jennifer Torres admits that this sometimes sounds like a David and Goliath situation.
Torres says, "It's a tough battle. There can always be more resources, more programs that will help our families gain that knowledge to help them understand what's behind a food label or what's behind that advertising. Or all advertised foods are not healthy foods. "
But you also have to sue the companies that grow junk food.
Michael Roberts said, "If the advertisement really creates an unfairness in the market and that one could argue that this type of advertising does, then presumably a lawsuit, a cause of action could be filed under the law of the state. We have not really seen this attempt, but it is there and it is a possibility. "
But there is an obstacle … the first amendment, which protects freedom of expression and includes commercial speech.
This is another reason why nutrition advocates such as PHFE WIC adopt the following saying: "Knowledge is power", which can in turn help level the playing field of the communities that have the most. need.
Related
[ad_2]
Source link
