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A content analysis of and#39;Junk foodand#39; content in childrenand#39;s TV programmes: A comparison of UK broadcast TV and Video-on-demand services
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Journal of Diabetic Complications & Medicine

ISSN: 2475-3211

Open Access

A content analysis of 'Junk food' content in children's TV programmes: A comparison of UK broadcast TV and Video-on-demand services


15th International Conference on Childhood Obesity & Nutrition and 31st European Diabetes Congress

March 16-17, 2022 WEBINAR

Shreesh Sinha, Alexander B Barker, Megan Parkin, Emma Wilson and Rachael L. Murray

Uk

Scientific Tracks Abstracts: J Diabetic Complications Med

Abstract :

Objectives: Exposure to HFSS imagery is associated with consumption of foods high in fat, sugar or salt (HFSS), and subsequently obesity, among young people. We report and compare the results of two content analyses, one of two popular terrestrial children’s television channels in the UK and the other of a selection of children’s programmes available on video-on-demand (VOD) streaming sites. Design: Content analysis of three days’ worth of programmes (including advertisements) on two popular children’s television channels broadcast on UK television (CBeebies and Milkshake) as well as a sample of 40 highest rated children’s programmes available on the VOD platforms, Netflix and Amazon Prime, using 1-minute interval coding. Results: HFSS content was seen in 181 broadcasts (36%) and in 417 intervals (13%) on terrestrial television, ‘Milkshake’ had a significantly higher proportion of programmes/adverts which contained HFSS content than ‘CBeebies’. In VOD platforms, HFSS content was seen in 82 episodes (72% of the total number of episodes), across 459 intervals (19% of the total number of intervals), with no significant difference in the proportion of programmes containing HFSS content between Netflix and Amazon Prime. Conclusions: This study demonstrates that HFSS content is common in both popular UK children’s television channels and children programmes on VOD services. Since previous research has shown that HFSS content in the media has an effect on HFSS consumption, children’s television programmes broadcast either on TV or VOD services are likely having an effect on HFSS consumption in children and legislative opportunities to prevent this exposure are being missed.

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