Effect of TV advertising on energy intake of Georgian children: Results of an experimental study

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Food advertising has been hypothesized to be related with increased consumption of energy-dense food in children, resulting in weight gain. Several studies have been conducted in this field, but little is known about children living in Eastern Europe countries. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of TV viewing and TV advertising on energy intake in Georgian children. METHODS: Sixty children aged 3–11 were recruited in a school of Tbilisi (Georgia) and were exposed, in an experimental setting, to different levels of TV and TV advertising: “no exposure to TV”, “exposure to TV without advertising”, “exposure to TV and one advertising”, “exposure to TV and two advertisings”, “exposure to TV and three advertisings”. Children were asked to eat ad libitum for 20 minutes a chocolate-based snack during the afternoon break. RESULTS: Enrolled children showed a median value of energy intake of 220.72 kcal, corresponding to a median of 2 snacks for each child. No significant association between energy intake and TV viewing/TV advertising was found, even after adjustment for potential confounding factors. CONCLUSION: Findings from the present experimental study showed no association of TV viewing and TV advertising with energy intake in a sample of Georgian children. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]