Change in perception regarding food advertisements on Indian television following an oral health education intervention program in 7-14 year old Kashmiri children and their parents

Background: Nowadays, electronic mass media such as television influence the behavioral patterns of their audiences, mainly children. The study aimed to investigate the extent of effectiveness of health education intervention among 7-14 year old children and their parents regarding the food advertising to children on Indian television Materials and methods: A cross sectional study was conducted among 140 children between 7-14 years and their parents attending Department of Pedodontics, Government Dental College and Hospital, Srinagar. Data was collected by administering a pretested and a validated questionnaire among children and their parents. Oral health education intervention in the form of counselling by power point presentations was provided and pictorial self explanatory pamphlets were distributed among the participants. They were recalled after 3 weeks and the same questionnaire was administered again to evaluate the effect of oral health education intervention. Results: After oral health education intervention regarding the Food Advertising to children and their parents on Indian television, there was a significant reduction (P<0.05) in the attitudes and practices which were detrimental to oral health. Conclusion: Children are exposed to TV advertisements which affect children’s food preferences resulting in consumption of unhealthy foods that are detrimental to the oral health. Oral Health education intervention to parents is necessary for selecting healthy foods.