Does the health of adolescents could be affected by the unwise recommendations of the influencers on social networks like TikTok, Instagram or YouTube? By unsuccessful we mean Drinks and food insane Due to its high levels of sugars y saturated. Will this lead to overweight and obesity?
What's going on?
Una research projects. carried out in the Medical University of Vienna, Austria, has been the one that has warned of the need for regulation in social networks that protects, above all, those who are most easily influenced. In this case, adolescents 13 and 17 years. The objective of the study was to measure the influence of social networks on the sale of unhealthy food and beverages. And he has succeeded. The results are convincing and put in the spotlight the companies that sell these products and the influencers who advertise them.
75% of foods advertised by influencers are harmful to health
Three-quarters of the foods advertised by influencers are harmful to health. In fact, they are to the point that they violate the standards and limits of the WHO (World Health Organization) which ensure the protection of the population and, specifically, of children. We must bear in mind that adolescents, according to the study, face 18 ads hourly on TikTok, YouTube and Instagram. And, worst of all, not everything is perceived as advertising. On the contrary, on many occasions they believe that this is really what their idol likes.
How was the study done?
The study, led by Eva winser, analyzed all the foods and drinks that appeared in publications and videos of the influencers. The content of the six influencers de speak german. All of them manage to influence a total of 35 million of adolescent followers and subscribers (between 13 and 17 years old). The fact that the advertised products are not healthy, together with the absence of advertising warnings, is a cocktail that is not beneficial for the health Of the youngs.
Influencer Law, the initiative that seeks to regulate misleading advertising on social networks
Organizations say it is urgent to monitor the promotion of products by celebrities on the internethttps://t.co/YoNGbkagNr pic.twitter.com/PQC5UIGvYq
— Millennium (@Millennium) April 27, 2022
Thus, Eva winser, ensures the urgent need for guidelines and effective regulation of the marketing of influencers for children. In addition, he also notes that "advertising for unhealthy products is considered a major factor in childhood obesity and has a lasting influence on nutritional preferences and eating habits."
How can we expect our children to eat healthy if social media content is geared toward foods high in salt, fat, and sugar? Eva Winzer
Winegrower He also considers that politics should take more measures against social networks in this context. Most countries have no restrictions on marketing unhealthy foods on websites, social media, or mobile apps. Governments must take action so that children are encouraged to lead healthy lives.
Obesity, a public health problem
Nutrition: the keys to preventing childhood obesity https://t.co/DKZ1TdDhyl pic.twitter.com/CxdWGVXx5N
– LN Well-being (@LnWell-being) May 11, 2022
The data speaks for itself. starting because the obesity, in the words of the WHO, It is one of the most serious public health problems in the world. XXI century«. According to a scientific article published by "The Lancet" in 1975 there was 11 million of obese children between 5 and 17 years of age. As of 2016, that date increased to stand at 124 million. The least that should be done is to encourage young people to consume foods that can lead to these health problems.
