The Truth Behind Food Marketing to Kids

Multinational food corporations spend approximately $2 billion annually influencing what kids eat through advertising, promotions and sponsorships. And it’s working. Nearly 1 in 3 children in the US eat fast food everyday. On top of all that, there is increasing evidence that food marketing for kids is linked to obesity. With nearly 1 in 5 of american children suffering from obesity, big food appears to be be winning the battle.

Food MythBusters’ latest video, ‘The Myth of Choice: How Junk Food Marketers Target our Kids,’ uncovers the gritty details behind food advertising and empowers families to fight back. It highlights the staggering power that food companies have over our children, from biological persuasion -high concentrations of fat and sugar not found in natural foods are highly addictive to children – to psychological persuasion – using cartoons and certain colors that are proven to get kids’ attention.

The film also celebrates people and organizations that have been successful at combatting big food, such as a grocery chain owner who took all kids’ products with cartoon advertising off his shelves, and the city of Quebec, whose fast food advertising to kids ban reduced fast food consumption by 13 percent.

You can learn more and take action against food marketing to kids here.