The influence of television on the food habits of schoolchildren and its association with dental caries.

OBJECTIVES: The consumption of food with a high-sugar content is encouraged by the food industry through television (TV) aimed at children and may be associated with dental caries. This study aims to evaluate the influence of TV on the food habits of schoolchildren aged years and its association with dental caries. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This was an observational, epidemiological, and cross-sectional study. Five neighborhoods of Belem District were selected, and then two schools from each neighborhood were drawn (one private and one public). All sixth and seventh grade students were selected. Data were extracted from questionnaires completed by schoolchildren and their parents and the decayed, missing, and filled teeth (DMFT/dmft) indices of the schoolchildren. The indices were carried out by three examiners previously calibrated (κ > .80). Logistic regression analysis was performed to investigate the association of variables of study with consumption of cariogenic foods and occurrence of dental caries. Odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated. RESULTS: Schoolchildren who watched TV for >90 min were more likely to consume cariogenic foods (OR = 2.38; 95% CI [1.57, 3.60]) and have a DMFT + dmft >1 (OR = 2.10; 95% CI [1.37, 3.26]). Those who consumed cariogenic foods while watching TV were more likely to have DMFT + dmft >1 (OR = 14.75; 95% CI [8.24, 6.40]). Parents who bought foods they saw on TV contributed to a higher consumption of cariogenic foods (OR = 3.29; 95% CI [2.07, 5.24]) and DMFT + dmft >1 (OR = 3.93; 95% CI [2.09, 7.37]) among their children. CONCLUSIONS: TV can influence the eating habits of schoolchildren aged 10 to 12 and the food purchases of their parents, stimulating the consumption of cariogenic foods and contributing to the development of dental caries.

The FLASHE Study: Racial and Sex Disparities in Adolescent and Parent Modifiable Cancer Risk Behavior.

Objectives: Understanding modifiable risk factors related to cancer among adolescents and their parents may help identify at-risk populations and intervention aims for reducing cancer risk among families. Methods: Participants were 1336 adolescent-parent dyads who participated in the 2014 Family Life, Activity, Sun, Health, and Eating (FLASHE) conducted by the National Cancer Institute. Using independent samples t-test and one-way ANOVA, we assessed differences in mean behavioral scores by sex and race/ethnicity, respectively. Results: For this nationwide sample, non-Hispanic black adolescents and parents were significantly (p < .05) more likely to participate in multiple dietary and sedentary behaviors than their Hispanic and non-black counterparts. Male adolescents reported significantly higher consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages and processed and red meats than their female peers (p < .02 for all). We also found a strong positive association between adolescents' and their parents' dietary and sedentary behaviors (p < .001 for all). Conclusions: Sex and racial differences in cancer-related health behaviors among adolescents and their parents suggest current guidelines for cancer may benefit from inclusion of younger populations and families. Effective health interventions targeting adolescent-parent dyads may help reduce cancer risk among multiple populations simultaneously.

Content analysis of Islamic Republic of Iran television food advertising related to oral health: appeals and performance methods.

BACKGROUND: Today, electronic mass media such as television (TV), influence behavioral patterns of their audiences. This study aimed to evaluate what messages on food advertisements related to oral health were transmitted (appeals) and how they were transferred (performance methods & artistic techniques) in Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting (IRIB). METHODS: In this cross sectional study, broadcasted advertisements on 4 important channels of Iran TV were recorded for a week from 8 am to 12 pm in 2012. The content and volume of food advertisements were investigated using a researcher-made check list. Advertisement group (food, non-food), food group (non-cariogenic, cariogenic), advertisement appeals (rational, emotional, and humor content), advertisement performance methods (hard-sell, soft-sell, presenting confirmation of Ministry of Health and Medical Education), and artistic technique were assessed. For variable comparison in groups a chi squared test and t-tests were used via SPSS software. RESULTS: Frequency of food advertisements (14.9%) were less than non-food advertising. Non-cariogenic food advertisements had higher frequency (12.09% (compared to cariogenic food (2.8%(. Rational appeal in advertising of non-cariogenic food had the most frequency (64.9%). In contrast emotional appeal for cariogenic food was used more frequently (85.5%). For cariogenic foods, a soft-sell approach was used more frequently (95.5%). The most common artistic technique used in food advertising was music. Chemical and mechanical dental plaque control materials had a very low frequency (0.2%). CONCLUSIONS: Advertising of cariogenic foods in Iran TV has low frequency.