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.
like the show's theme says "If you like what you see, turn off the TV and do it!"
but not stuff like unprotected sex and joining gangs and other things of the sort. Just what the ZOOM kids do.
Because THAT'S what coming.
You're punishing the responsible right along with the irresponsible. Is that fair?
So it's okay if, say, the government bans....chocolate cake, say, because it has processed flour, sugar, oil and eggs, and the icing is just, well....icky, and cake can make people fat. How would that be?
Our problem is not the abundance and availability of food, nor its caloric content. We've always had plenty of food, and high-calorie foods are a part of our cultural heritage. The problem is that we've become too sedentary. Playing videogames instead of touch football. Watching "Dora the Explorer" instead of getting out there and doing some exploring of our own.