Obese Children Found To Be Especially Vulnerable To Food Ads

November 30, 2012: 12:00 AM EST

U.S. researchers using neuro-imaging techniques found that the brains of obese children showed greater activation in some reward regions of the brain than normal weight children when shown food logos. Healthy weight children showed greater brain activation in brain areas associated with self-control when shown food versus nonfood logos. According to the researchers, the study indicates that obese children may be more vulnerable to the effects of food advertising. One solution to the problem may be increased training in self-control as part of obesity and behavioral health interventions. Food companies spend $10 billion annually on marketing foods high in fat, sugar and sodium to children, the researchers noted.

Amanda S. Bruce et al., "Brain Responses to Food Logos in Obese and Healthy Weight Children", Journal of Pediatrics, November 30, 2012, © Mosby, Inc.

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Obese Children Found To Be Especially Vulnerable To Food Ads

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