Influence of Television Food Advertisements Related Purchasing Behaviours on Dietary Intake and Obesity Among Children in China

Abstract Background: This study aims to examine the effects of Television (TV) food advertisements (ads) related purchasing behaviours on children’s dietary intake, overweight and obesity in China. Methods: Data from 1,417 children (aged 6–17.99 years) in the 2011 China Health and Nutrition Survey were analysed. TV food ads related purchasing behaviours were assessed through the frequency of children’s requests to purchase advertised foods and the frequency of parents’ purchases of these advertised foods, as well as the frequency of children’s purchases of advertised foods. The height and weight of children were measured. Logistic regression models were used to identify the associations between TV food ads related purchasing behaviours and overweight/obesity of children.Results: TV food ads related purchasing behaviours were positively associated with children’s dietary intake of energy, protein, fat and carbohydrates. After adjusting for potential confounding factors, TV food ads related purchasing behaviours were positively associated with children’s overweight/obesity: OR (95% CI) for overweight/obesity were: 1.46 (1.01–2.11) for children purchasing advertised foods, 1.59 (1.15–2.18) for parents purchasing advertised foods for their children and 1.39 (0.99–1.95) for children requesting advertised foods.Conclusions: TV food ads related purchasing behaviours are associated with children’s dietary intake. Moreover, TV food ads related purchasing behaviours can increase the risk of overweight and obesity of children. Regulations on TV food ads should be considered in China.