Journal of Community Nutrition

The Korean Society of Community Nutrition (대한지역사회영양학회)
권호 표지

American Television： A Source of Nutrition Education and Information

  • Published : 2003.12.01
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Abstract

Television is a powerful and persuasive teacher. It has the potential to influence perceptions, knowledge, beliefs, and behaviors, thus nutritionists need to be aware of the nutrition-related information (NRI) in television programming and the effect this information has on viewers. The purpose of this article was to review research published in peer-reviewed journals between 1988 and 2003 that examined the NRI embedded in American television programming, which is exported to over 125 nations, and its impact on nutrition knowledge, attitudes, and/or behaviors. This review revealed that, for the past 15 years, NRI was commonly included in both television advertisements and shows. Advertised foods were mainly high in fat, sodium, and/or sugar. In addition, the NRI embedded in food advertisements tended to be misleading or inaccurate. Prime-time television shows included numerous NRI containing scenes every hour, with situation comedies having the most and real-life re-enactment shows the least. Overall, low nutrient density foods accounted for approximately 40 percent or more of all food references on prime-time television shows. In television shows, foods were mostly consumed as snacks rather than meals and children often ate more nutritious foods than adults. Although relatively few studies have examined the impact of television programming on viewers, those that do exist indicate that as children watch more television, nutrition knowledge and understanding declines while misconceptions about nutrition increase. Advertising influences children's food purchase requests and subsequent purchases by adults, with the most requested and purchased foods being high in sugar, fat, and/or salt foods. Existing research indicates that television must be acknowledged as a major source of NRI and a potentially powerful influence on dietary practices.

Keywords

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