Influence of mass media on nutritional status of youth

Mass media (television, radio, magazines, newspaper, pamphlets, mobile phones, internet etc) play a paramount role in today’s society. Mass media are the tools for the transfer of information, concepts, and ideas to both general and specific audiences. Sometimes media is playing a havoc with youth’s health. Expenditure on food advertising is high and increasing in developing countries; a significant proportion of this advertising is for energy-dense processed foods targeted at children and youth. The objective of this advertising is to encourage greater consumption of processed foods which can lead to overweight and obesity, hence physical inactivity and poor health. This creates an endless cycle that perpetuates from generation to generation and needs to be checked well in time. Hence, on one hand, youth is exposed through media to high sugar, high fat, high sodium and low fibre junk foods and on the other hand, youth is also exposed to glamour world of fashion, where everyone wants to be ultra thin. The detrimental influence of media on food choices and eating habits of youth is a serious issue and growing concern for public health officials, registered dieticians, and families