USDA Agriculture Research Services’ research nutritionist and registered dietitian Dr. Sarah Colby led a study investigating the nutrition value of foods marketed to kids - and the results are disturbing.
For the study, Colby and colleagues surveyed nearly 57,000 food labels from the major grocery stores within the Grand Forks, North Dakota metropolitan area. Of those, 9,105 were perceived to be marketed toward children, based on qualifiers such as graphics, lettering and promotion designs.
Nearly 80 percent of those foods marketed toward children—about 7,284—carried some nutrition marketing information on the package, good source of “such and such” nutrient. But 60 percent of the kid-oriented foods that were packaged with nutrition marketing—about 4,370 foods—were also high in saturated fat, sodium and/or added sugar, when compared to the levels recommended in the Dietary Guidelines for Americans.
This is why it is so important to read the food labels. Take what’s on the front at face-value (nutrition claims are FDA regulated) but don’t put the packaged food in your basket without reading the food label. Flip the box and look at the serving size and total calories. If the serving size is less than what you would normally give to your child, then you know what’s on the box is an under-estimate. Check the percent daily values for a quick scan, if fat, saturated fat, sugar or sodium seem high and fiber, vitamins, and minerals seem low reconsider the purchase. If you do buy it, stick to the serving size on the box and stick to your guns on moderation.
USDA Agriculture Research Services’ research nutritionist and registered dietitian Dr. Sarah Colby led a study investigating the nutrition value of foods marketed to kids - and the results are disturbing.
For the study, Colby and colleagues surveyed nearly 57,000 food labels from the major grocery stores within the Grand Forks, North Dakota metropolitan area. Of those, 9,105 were perceived to be marketed toward children, based on qualifiers such as graphics, lettering and promotion designs.
Nearly 80 percent of those foods marketed toward children—about 7,284—carried some nutrition marketing information on the package, good source of “such and such” nutrient. But 60 percent of the kid-oriented foods that were packaged with nutrition marketing—about 4,370 foods—were also high in saturated fat, sodium and/or added sugar, when compared to the levels recommended in the Dietary Guidelines for Americans.
This is why it is so important to read the food labels. Take what’s on the front at face-value (nutrition claims are FDA regulated) but don’t put the packaged food in your basket without reading the food label. Flip the box and look at the serving size and total calories. If the serving size is less than what you would normally give to your child, then you know what’s on the box is an under-estimate. Check the percent daily values for a quick scan, if fat, saturated fat, sugar or sodium seem high and fiber, vitamins, and minerals seem low reconsider the purchase. If you do buy it, stick to the serving size on the box and stick to your guns on moderation.
Filed under: children, food labeling, food marketing and advertising