PUBLIC OPINION > Disney Won't Combat Obesity With Its Junk Food Ban
SodaHead TV
2012/06/07 13:00:00
Disney is launching an initiative that will ban junk food commercials from appearing during their children's programming by 2015. They announced that all food and beverages advertised on the Disney Channel, Disney XD, Disney Junior, Radio Disney, and Disney.com must meet certain standards to air. We asked the public if this initiative could help fight childhood obesity.
It's a nice thought, but not many people think it will make a difference. And not many people think it's something Disney should be worried about, either. The Top Opinion read, "It's the parents responsibility what their kids eat no one else's." Even those who said it could help were typically underwhelmed, saying things like, "It couldn't hurt," or, "Every little bit helps."
Reluctance on the Right
Even though Disney is a private corporation imposing its own rules on itself, conservative respondents were much less likely than any other demographic to say their junk food commercial ban will help fight obesity. It could be that they're just bothered by the fact that Disney is potentially forfeiting profits for standards set by the government, even if the government isn't enforcing it.
Smokers Are Skeptical
Smokers were also much less enthusiastic about the ban than most demographics. It must have something to do with health -- smoking, like eating junk food, is obviously unhealthy, so maybe they're sympathetic. But it's not like smokers are worried Disney will stop advertising cigarettes on Channel Disney.
Athletes Aren't Convinced
Strangely enough, the healthiest weight class (athletic) was least likely to say Disney can help fight obesity. It wasn't by much, only about 5% to 6% less than any other weight class, but we found it odd that healthier voters shrugged off Disney's shift toward health-conscious eating. Maybe they're suggesting a healthy lifestyle takes a lot more than new commercials.
If you'd like to vote on this question, dig deeper into the demographics, or engage in existing discussion about the topic, visit our poll about Disney's junk food commercial ban. We'd love to hear from you!
Top Opinion
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CrimsonSeraph 2012/06/09 12:17:47
+6Whatever happened to parents being parents and controlling their kids or is that not allowed anymore. It's not the commercials fault that children are obese, its the fact that parents are out getting them the junk food while the kid is sitting on his bum in front of the television, computer, or whatever.
rose
rose
even researchers are having a hard time with this one, the common consences is if you eat less and exercise more you should be lean or on the lean side, but what we believe and what reality shows it quite a different story. don't believe me try researching at research articles like highwire press and google things like obesity or metaoblic syndrome and you will get a array of conflicting results to studies being done. then go out and ask obese people their diet history. their exercise history etc and find out for yourself what it is like to be fat despiet a strong desire to be thin. go ahead and ask them see their pain and struggle, maybe if people did that they would lose their assumptions and start to see more reality instead of what they are fed on tv.
rose
thyroid malfunction and gained 80lbs. I have not changed my diet but have increased my exercise program and still have not been able to shed the weight. talked with my doctor and she said, "I may never be able to."
Train the children from the beginning as constant reconditioning makes a point. Children learn from observation and reinforcement wherein you as a parent are the biggest teacher on the type of foods you eat, the clothes you wear and the life you lead.
Banning the ads may help a bit but if they see it at a later stage, they will ponder and wonder why it was done and the commotion and buildings outside with those signs are still existing. Always keep them informed of the outside world so that they are better citizens of tomorrow.
Its easier to hide your real identity from a child but it gets harder as they grow up, read observe things and then ask you questions about it. Best thing to do: Give them an insight into the personality of the product, the boons and banes of it and why you ar...
Train the children from the beginning as constant reconditioning makes a point. Children learn from observation and reinforcement wherein you as a parent are the biggest teacher on the type of foods you eat, the clothes you wear and the life you lead.
Banning the ads may help a bit but if they see it at a later stage, they will ponder and wonder why it was done and the commotion and buildings outside with those signs are still existing. Always keep them informed of the outside world so that they are better citizens of tomorrow.
Its easier to hide your real identity from a child but it gets harder as they grow up, read observe things and then ask you questions about it. Best thing to do: Give them an insight into the personality of the product, the boons and banes of it and why you are disallowing them from consuming it after you have given them the taste and show the changes on the body structure etc. I did that with my child and still do till date.
Don't make kids frogs in a pond.
The people who are letting the kid eat it in the first place are the problem!
Make no mistake! Disney wants your money! If they think not advertising on kids show will make them more money! They will do it! Asking the public if this would be OK or not is just away of getting publicity. That equals more money!
rose
When I was growing up, I was outside all the time doing things and only watched Tv before I was going to bed.