The study talks about the major effects of branded foods
on children. Researchers have found that children as young as age 3 would prefer to eat foods that has a popular logo like Mc Donald's compared to a regular hamburger, fries and nuggets that has a plain packaging. According to research done, kids say that Mc Donald's labeled products tasted better.
But parents and child advocacy groups fight on their stand that
advertisements with focus on children can be harmful, because the kids are still naive to know which is true and which is plainly for advertisemnts sake only. At age two, these kids minds may be molded to believe the power of branded products, not being able to understand that advertisements are just making them biased. In fact, those kids with more access to television and those with happy meal collection toys would likely say that Mc Donald's are tastier.
Still, Mc Donald's defended their side by making a statement that they made a progressive approach to responsible marketing through their recent promotion of the animated movie Shrek that has them made their biggest promotion on fruits, vegetables, and milk.
On the other hand, arguements are still not in favor of Mc Donald's strategies. According to them, even if Mc Donald's will try to advertise and promote in serving healthy foods, but are still served in minority choices, the kids will still continue to consume the junk foods that they already used eating.
But big
companies like Mc Donald's, Coca Cola, PepsiCo, Kellogg and Kraft are trying to make their promises of promoting healthy foods to fight against the growing problem of obesity. Researchers says that, if these companies would continue starting on putting healthy foods on their menus, then they could make a better impact on giving children a healthier diet lifestyle. And with that, these companies would prove that advertisements are not just about their strategies.