Children preferred foods branded with cartoon characters over the same food without the character, according to a study published in Pediatrics on June 21, 2010. The study, conducted by the Rudd Center for Food Policy and Obesity, Yale University, examined the influence of cartoon characters branded on food packaging and its effect on children’s taste preferences. Forty children between the ages of four and six were given the same three foods packaged with and without a popular cartoon character and allowed to choose which tasted better. The majority of children selected the branded snacks, especially among energy dense, nutritionally low foods. For this reason, the researchers recommend limiting the branding of such foods with cartoon characters.

Resource:

http://pediatrics.aappublications.org/cgi/content/abstract/peds.2009-3433v1

• TOOLS & RESOURCES
• MODEL PROGRAMS
• ABOUT US
• CONSULTING
• NEWS ROOM