Educational resource on “Food Marketing in Schools”

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Many parents are unaware of the marketing kids see in their schools about food. Many times, kids are marketed unhealthy food options as large food companies sponsor school activities and events.

What does it teach kids when the products are featured in the halls, cafeterias, vending machines and athletic fields are the same ones that their teachers and parents tell them are not good for their health?

The UConn Rudd Center for Food Policy & Obesity has created a set of presentations to help advocates inform their communities on how unhealthy marketing practices contribute to an epidemic of poor diet among youth, and what communities can do to help ensure that their children grow up at a healthy weight.

Among these resources is a downloadable presentation on “Food Marketing in Schools“, which explains how large food companies endorse teacher’s nights, and also sponsor events to use as kids and teachers become captive audiences in these learning environments.

In fact, a study from the Federal Trade Commission data showed that food and beverage companies spend almost $150 million on marketing to children and teens in their schools.

Latino kids often see more ads on TV than their white peers about junk foods and sugary sweetened beverages, and also are limited to healthy options at their schools compared to their peers.

Having resources for parents and health leaders in schools and learning communities may help build a culture of health around more healthy food marketing for Latino kids.

Copy & share on Twitter: Schools should be places of learning, not marketing. New @uconnruddcenter presentations  #SaludAmerica http://salud.to/1qdKBgc