孩子發現在麥克唐納包裹的食物包裝』六次更加鮮美』

由 FIONA MacRAE

孩子在包裝六倍開胃麥克唐納在簡單的封皮比相同快餐，研究展示的發現食物。

研究，被設計測量做廣告的力量，顯露男孩和女孩年輕人像三被發現的食物更加鮮美，當他們認為它由一個大品牌作為做。

現象不是僅限於快餐，当年輕人發現牛奶和紅蘿卜更加鮮美，當他們相信他們被買了在麥克唐納。

The research, carried at Stanford University in the US, comes amid growing concern about the influence of advertising on children’s health.

Child obesity rates have trebled over the last 20 years, with 10 per cent of six-year-olds and 17 per cent of 15-year-olds now obese.

By 2050, half of all primary school-age boys and a fifth of girls could be so overweight that their health is at serious risk.

Experts have warned that unless the Government acts now, an entire generation faces an old age blighted by heart disease, cancer, diabetes and other diseases brought on by obesity, with today’s children dying at a younger age than their parents.

Since April, junk food manufacturers have been banned from advertising their products during TV programmes targeted at under-16s.

However, critics claim the ban doesn’t go far enough and point out that manufacturers are increasingly advertising on the internet.

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Child obesity rates have trebled over the last 20 years

Now, research shows just how powerful advertising is.

During the study, the researchers asked children aged between three and five to rate five foods for tastiness.

Each child was given two samples of each food, one in McDonalds packaging and one in plain wrapping. Other than the packaging, the samples were identical.

The researchers said that if the children weren’t influenced by branding, they would find both samples equally tasty.

However, this was far from the case, with the McDonald’s-wrapped food judged far more appealing.

The ‘McDonald’s’ fries were judged tastiest by six times as many children as found the plain packaged chips the most appetising.

Chips and chicken nuggets carrying fast food branding were also deemed more tasty.

Even milk and carrots, foods not traditionally associated with McDonald’s, were gauged more appealing when carrying the chain’s logo.

Further analysis showed that the link was strongest among children who ate fast food more often and among those with more than one TV set at home.

Writing in the journal Archives of Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine, the researchers said that previous studies had shown that children as young as two are aware of brands.

They added: “These results add evidence to support recommendations to regulate or ban advertising of the marketing of high-calorie, low-nutrient foods and beverages, or all marketing that is directed to young children.”

Clever branding could also be used to encourage children to eat fruit and vegetables.

The researchers said: “Our findings also suggest a need for research on marketing in general, and branding in particular, as strategies to promote more healthful taste preferences and food and beverage choices in young children.”

Tam Fry, of the Child Growth Foundation said the study underlined the importance of teaching even the youngest children about healthy eating.

He added: “Gaudy, colourful packaging is tremendously attractive, and if we could do the same with broccoli, it would be wonderful.”

McDonald’s said it actively tries to promote healthy food to children.

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