Candy Games Encourage Children to Eat Sweets

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A new study shows that internet candy games can actually encourage children to eat more sweets. Does this call for a ban of food advertising to children?

According to a new research study published at Science Direct, candy games may lead to higher than normal consumption of sweets. The study was conducted by researchers from Radboud University, and aims to identify the effects of food advertising on children's behavior and eating habits. Over 1000 children were studied in order to identify the relationship between the two.

The researchers wrote that food advertising is more concerned about promoting "unhealthy and palatable products". On top of that, they also added that food advertising is considered to be one of the top contributors of obesity.

In a press release by Radboud University, Frans Folkvord, lead author of the study, and his co-authors have observed that after playing an internet candy game, children's chances of eating more sweets was raised to 55 percent.

What's makes the research even more interesting was the children's perception towards these candy games. As cited in the press release, Folkvord discovered that even though brands and logos are shown, children don't see the games as advertisements.

However, Folkvord noted that regardless of how children perceive candy games, the most alarming part is how food advertising can alter their eating behaviors.

The other risks of having candy games as a form of food advertising still remains unclear. For Folkvord, the website of food brands that contain games have a share option, which will prompt children to share the game to their friends.

"In contrast to television, where the clearly delimited blocks of commercials can help viewers guard against temptation, on the internet, advertising is mixed with other types of content. The websites of food manufacturers contain games, which also offer children the option of sharing games with their friends," Foldvord said, as cited in the university's new release.

Meanwhile, when it comes to the association between eating candies and body mass index (BMI), the research team has yet to find a significant link. But according to Folkvord, the number of children who resort to eating apples instead of candies was lower compared to those who eat candy to satisfy hunger.  

Because of these alarming findings, Folkvord now works with the University of Barcelona to address the problem. He also calls for an action to ban food commercials that markets on children.

"Children play a game, get hungry and reach for treats. As the cycle continues, children fail to learn healthy eating behaviour. The results of my study indicate that these advertisements have an even heavier influence on children who are already overweight," he added.