Due to my job (I work for a cancer organization), although I do not always make healthy choices, I tend to focus on behaviors promoted by TV and cinema, on what is shown as trendy or cool. Even if no specific brand is advertised, having the main characters of a successful show drinking, especially if the viewers are teens, it is at least irresponsible.
In a context where many actors take the field against bullying or social inequality, it is even more impressive the complete lack of responsibility of writers and producers toward their audience. Many researches show that watching someone drinking – especially if it is shown as a positive behavior - increases among teens and young people the chance for them to start drinking alcohol themselves.
The level of alcohol imagery is too high both in movies and on TV. Although in Italy there is a specific legislation prohibiting
alcohol related ads during “kids-TV hours”, in 2001 the National Institute of Health has calculated an "alcohol-act" every 13 minutes on TV, which is often linked to the idea of success and conviviality.
In Italy one in 10 children under 5 years are obese. According to experts this is often due to the lifestyle of their parents ... and, I might add, talking about influencers, it is also due to the models transmitted by television.
I’ve therefore decided to rate (1-5) some TV programs, targeting different viewers’ age (small kids, teens, adults), analyzing not only alcohol and tobacco imagery, but also junk food.
... with my great regret I had to rate 3 my favorite TV show, Supernatural: although Jensen Ackles is the hottest guy ever, his presence in the show still fails to hide the amount of alcohol and junk food consumed by the main characters.
Peppa Pig - 5 star
Viewer’s
age: small kids
Level of alcohol
imagery (1-5): 0
Level of junk food (1-5): 0
Level of cigarettes/tobacco imagery:
0
Masha and the Bear - 1 star
Viewer’s age: small kids
Masha and the Bear - 1 star
Viewer’s age: small kids
Level of alcohol imagery (1-5): 0
Level of junk food (1-5): 4
Level of cigarettes/tobacco imagery:
0
Rating: 1 star due to the fact that
there is sugar in every single recipe and characters are often eating candies.
Teen wolf - 5 star
Viewer’s
age: teenagers
Level of
alcohol imagery (1-5): 0
Level of junk food (1-5): 0
Level of cigarettes/tobacco imagery:
0
Positive behaviors: physical exercise
(lacrosse)
Supernatural – 3 star
Viewer’s age: teenagers, young
adults and adults (including myself)
Level of alcohol imagery (1-5): 5
Level of junk food (1-5): 4
Level of cigarettes/tobacco imagery:
0
Positive behaviors: at least one of
the brothers eats organic
Gilmore girls – 4 star
Viewer’s age : teenagers, young
adults
Level of alcohol imagery (1-5): 0
Level of junk food (1-5): 3
Level of cigarettes/tobacco imagery:
0
Positive behaviors: Main character Rory
drinks soda until turning 21
Gossip girl - 4 star
Viewer’s age : teenagers
Level of alcohol imagery (1-5): 2
Level of junk food (1-5): 0
Level of cigarettes/tobacco imagery:
0
Montalbano - 4 star
Viewer’s
age : adults
Level of
alcohol imagery (1-5): 2
Level of junk food (1-5): 0
Level of cigarettes/tobacco imagery:
2
Positive behaviors: physical
exercise (swimming)
This blog supports #Teen4Food, a project aimed at teenagers all over the world. The goal is to inform and address teens about wrong eating behaviors through a short publication. The brochure will be available also online (both in Italian and English) on LILT Bologna website for free download.
Please join me and support the project with a donation just clicking on the icon on the top right.
Nessun commento:
Posta un commento
Nota. Solo i membri di questo blog possono postare un commento.