Page 94 - Petelin, Ana, et al. 2019. Eds. Zdravje otrok in mladostnikov / Health of Children and Adolescents. Proceedings. Koper: University of Primorska Press
P. 94
avje otrok in mladostnikov | health of children and adolescents 92 belonging to nine nutritional categories, intended to attract children with their
packaging.
Healthy diet is necessary to provide children enough energy and nutri-
ents for their health, growth and development. It is also important for children
to acquire healthy eating habits in their early years as these are often retained
in later periods and necessary for long-term health (Gabrijelčič Blenkuš et al.,
2005). In addition to parents, the environment has significant influence over
children’s eating habits. The environment encourages frequent consumption
of energy-dense foods, however, it does not promote sufficient physical activi-
ty, which is one of the main causes of the increasing trend of obesity in children
(Šinkovec and Gabrijelčič Blenkuš, 2010; World Health Organisation, 2013).
On the shelves of stores, we find many products from various product
groups that address children with advertisements, presentations on the pack-
age or product design, for example by inscription “Junior”, pictures of cartoon
characters or cookies in the shape of dinosaurs. All this often convinces par-
ents that the product is suitable and intended for children’s diet, and they buy
it (Šinkovec and Gabrijelčič Blenkuš, 2010).
Children are also influenced by such products and persuade their par-
ents to purchase them. Pictures of cartoon characters on products are especial-
ly popular with younger children, who are more likely to notice picture-based
than text messages. Even before they learn to read, they are able to identify ma-
ny brands. As some studies show, just the knowledge of dietary brands has a
significant impact on predicting their body mass index (ITM) in the future
(The European Consumer Organisation, 2017).
In connection with Student Innovation Projects for Social Benefit (ŠIPK
- študentski inovativni projekti za družbeno korist), students of the Biotechni�-
cal Faculty and the Faculty of Education of the University of Ljubljana analysed
nutrient profiles of 90 randomly selected foods, belonging to nine nutrition-
al categories, which addressed children with their packaging. Foodstuff were
bought from the following stores: DM, E.Leclerc, Eurospin, Hofer, Lidl, Merca-
tor, Mueller, Spar and Tuš. Products addressing children by means of for exam-
ple nametag “Junior”, pictures of cartoon characters or the shape of a food (di-
nosaurs, bears etc.) were selected.
Methods
In our study, we have analysed the nutritional profile of randomly selected
foods targeting children with packaging, from nine nutritional categories. The
nutritional profile of each individual foodstuff was assessed using Nutritional
Guidelines to form codes of conduct in protecting children against inappropri-
ate advertising (hereinafter to be referred as: Nutritional Guidelines), prepared
by the Ministry of Health (Ministrstvo za zdravje). Nutritional Guidelines give
guidance on the marketing of foods in advertisements within and with pro-
gramme content intended for children. Guidelines criteria for certain nutri-
packaging.
Healthy diet is necessary to provide children enough energy and nutri-
ents for their health, growth and development. It is also important for children
to acquire healthy eating habits in their early years as these are often retained
in later periods and necessary for long-term health (Gabrijelčič Blenkuš et al.,
2005). In addition to parents, the environment has significant influence over
children’s eating habits. The environment encourages frequent consumption
of energy-dense foods, however, it does not promote sufficient physical activi-
ty, which is one of the main causes of the increasing trend of obesity in children
(Šinkovec and Gabrijelčič Blenkuš, 2010; World Health Organisation, 2013).
On the shelves of stores, we find many products from various product
groups that address children with advertisements, presentations on the pack-
age or product design, for example by inscription “Junior”, pictures of cartoon
characters or cookies in the shape of dinosaurs. All this often convinces par-
ents that the product is suitable and intended for children’s diet, and they buy
it (Šinkovec and Gabrijelčič Blenkuš, 2010).
Children are also influenced by such products and persuade their par-
ents to purchase them. Pictures of cartoon characters on products are especial-
ly popular with younger children, who are more likely to notice picture-based
than text messages. Even before they learn to read, they are able to identify ma-
ny brands. As some studies show, just the knowledge of dietary brands has a
significant impact on predicting their body mass index (ITM) in the future
(The European Consumer Organisation, 2017).
In connection with Student Innovation Projects for Social Benefit (ŠIPK
- študentski inovativni projekti za družbeno korist), students of the Biotechni�-
cal Faculty and the Faculty of Education of the University of Ljubljana analysed
nutrient profiles of 90 randomly selected foods, belonging to nine nutrition-
al categories, which addressed children with their packaging. Foodstuff were
bought from the following stores: DM, E.Leclerc, Eurospin, Hofer, Lidl, Merca-
tor, Mueller, Spar and Tuš. Products addressing children by means of for exam-
ple nametag “Junior”, pictures of cartoon characters or the shape of a food (di-
nosaurs, bears etc.) were selected.
Methods
In our study, we have analysed the nutritional profile of randomly selected
foods targeting children with packaging, from nine nutritional categories. The
nutritional profile of each individual foodstuff was assessed using Nutritional
Guidelines to form codes of conduct in protecting children against inappropri-
ate advertising (hereinafter to be referred as: Nutritional Guidelines), prepared
by the Ministry of Health (Ministrstvo za zdravje). Nutritional Guidelines give
guidance on the marketing of foods in advertisements within and with pro-
gramme content intended for children. Guidelines criteria for certain nutri-
