Are Cartoon Characters Causing Ireland’s Childhood Obesity Epidemic?

Is it time that we started paying attention to the cartoons we allow our children to watch? Yes, according to Irish health experts who claim that the nation’s children are copying the calorie-laden eating habits of cartoon characters such as Peppa Pig.

The Irish Daily Star reports that there are fears that Irish youngsters could start copying the antics of the cartoon pig. Peppa Pig is popular with children aged two to four and can usually be seen eating large portions of chocolate cake and saying “yuck” to healthy food like fruit and vegetables.

Apparently health experts are worried that Ireland’s childhood obesity epidemic could be further fuelled by children emulating the eating habits of their favourite cartoon characters.

Could television be having a negative impact on your child's eating habits?

Irish health watchdogs have now called on the makers of Peppa Pig to improve the unhealthy eating habits of their main character.

“There’s no doubt some children emulate the behaviour of characters they see on TV,” said Suzanne Horgan, the director of the Eating Resource Centre of Ireland.

“I would certainly be in favour of the producers swapping chocolate cake for a healthy snack or fruit… as that would set a good example to children and would be bound to have a positive effect on the eating habits of kids,” she added.

Do you think the programmes your child watches have a direct impact on their eating habits?