Latino children in particular are at risk of childhood obesity. Because exposure to televised food marketing is a contributor to childhood obesity, it is important to examine the nutritional quality of foods advertised on Spanish-language children's programming. The authors analyzed a sample of 158 Spanish-language children's television programs for its advertising content and compared them with an equivalent sample of English-language advertising. The authors evaluated nutritional quality of each advertised product using a food rating system from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. In addition, the authors assessed compliance with industry self-regulatory pledges. The authors found that amount of food advertising on Spanish-language channels (M = 2.2 ads/hour) was lower than on English-language programs, but the nutritional quality of food products on Spanish-language channels was substantially poorer than on English channels. Industry self-regulation was less effective on Spanish-language channels. The study provides clear evidence of significant disparities. Food advertising targeted at Spanish-speaking children is more likely to promote nutritionally poor food products than advertising on English-language channels. Industry self-regulation is less effective on Spanish-language television channels. Given the disproportionately high rate of childhood obesity among Latinos, the study's findings hold important implications for public health policy.
This study utilized a social identity‐based cultivation approach to investigate the influence of English and Spanish‐language television exposure in the United States on Latinos’ perceptions of intergroup relations. Although research has examined the influence of television on Whites’ perceptions of nondominant racial and ethnic groups, little empirical research exists assessing the influence of television on nondominant group members’ (e.g., Latinos’) race‐related perceptions. To help fill this gap, a survey of Latino Americans (N = 209) was conducted. Results indicated that Latinos’ English‐language television exposure was associated with perceptions of discrimination against Latinos and perceptions of the legitimacy of such treatment. Endorsement of English‐language television portrayals and exposure to Spanish‐language television moderated these relationships.
This chapter charts the historical development as well as key findings of media psychology research examining the representations of racial/ethnic minorities in the media and the subsequent effects of exposure to these portrayals. A special effort is made by the authors to document the perspectives used to date to understand such effects, as well as to draw on psychology research that has yet to be applied in this domain. Additionally, suggestions are made for advancing this research both theoretically and methodologically and in light of the new media environment.
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