ROCHESTER, N.Y., July 12 /PRNewswire/ -- A new Wall Street Journal Online/Harris Interactive Health-Care Poll finds that a growing number of U.S. adults see childhood obesity as a problem in the U.S., with 84 percent calling it a "major problem," up from 77 percent from 2005. However, among those who are a parent or guardian of a child aged 12 and under, only 74 percent say it is a major problem (compared to 70% in 2005).
These are some of the results of a Harris Interactive(R) online survey of 2,078 U.S. adults, ages 18 years and over, of whom 432 are parents or guardians of children age 12 and under, conducted between June 26 and 28, 2006 for The Wall Street Journal Online's Health Industry Edition (http://www.wsj.com/health).
The poll found that 81 percent of adults agree(1) that children are becoming obese because parents aren't paying enough attention to their eating habits, not because of the food industry's marketing and advertising. Another 83 percent agree(1) that public schools should do more to limit students' access to unhealthy foods, like snack foods, sugary soft drinks and fast food. About nine in 10 (89%) say that obesity among children will lead to higher health care costs for all Americans.
U.S. adults are divided on the government's role in addressing the issue. Just over half (55%) say the government should take companies to court if they mislead children and their parents about the nutritional value of foods, while 39% disagree(2). Fifty-three percent say the government should play a more active role in regulating the food industry's marketing toward children, compared with 42 percent who disagree(2). Likewise, only a third (34%) of adults agree(1) that local governments should use zoning regulations to limit fast-food restaurants near schools, compared with 61% who disagree(2).
The poll also shows a strong majority of adults believe more physical activity is part of the solution: Vast majorities say public schools should do more to promote regular exercise (93%) and parents should lead by example by being physically active themselves and encouraging their children to be physically active (94%).
TABLE 1
PUBLIC CONCERN REGARDING CHILDHOOD OBESITY
"Based on what you know or have heard, do you believe that childhood obesity
in the U.S. is ... ?"
Base: All Adults
Parent or Guardian
All Adults of Child 12 and Under
% %
A major problem 2005 77 70
2006 84 74
A minor problem 2005 21 27
2006 15 21
Not a problem at all 2005 2 3
2006 2 4
Note: Percentages may not add up to exactly 100% due to rounding.
TABLE 2
PUBLIC PERCEPTIONS REGARDING CHILDHOOD OBESITY "How strongly do you agree or disagree with each of the following statements?"
Base: All Adults All Adults Parent or Guardian of Child 12 and Under Agree Disagree Agree Disagree Strongly/ Strongly/ Not Strongly/ Strongly/ Not Somewhat Somewhat Sure Somewhat Somewhat Sure % % % % % % Obesity among children will lead to higher 2005 86 7 6 85 8 7 health care 2006 89 5 6 86 7 7 costs for all Americans. If children in the U.S. are becoming obese it's because parents are not paying enough 2005 83 14 4 86 10 4 attention to 2006 81 14 5 82 12 5 their eating habits, not because of the food industry's marketing and advertising. Public schools should do more to limit children's access to unhealthy 2005 83 14 3 84 12 5 foods like 2006 83 13 4 83 14 3 snack foods, sugary soft drinks and fast food. Advertising by the food industry that is directed towards children is a major 2005 68 27 5 69 24 7 contributor to 2006 65 31 4 67 29 4 the rising rate of childhood obesity. The government should take companies to court if they mislead children and their 2005 58 38 4 64 32 4 parents about 2006 55 39 5 55 37 7 the nutritional value of the foods they sell. The government should play a more active role in regulating the 2005 55 41 4 55 38 7 types of 2006 53 42 5 56 39 5 marketing and advertising that the food industry directs toward children. Local governments should use zoning regulations to 2005 - - - - - - limit fast 2006 34 61 5 37 55 8 food restaurants near schools. Public schools should do more to promote regular 2005 - - - - - - exercise, 2006 93 3 5 93 2 5 including regular recess Parents need to lead by example by being 2005 - - - - - - physically 2006 94 2 5 93 2 4 active themselves and encouraging their children to be physically active Note: Percentages may not add up to exactly 100% due to rounding. TABLE 2B PERCEPTIONS REGARDING CHILDHOOD OBESITY -
PARENT OR GUARDIAN OF CHILD AGE 12 AND UNDER "How strongly do you agree or disagree with each of the following statements?"
Base: Parent or guardian of child age 12 and under
Agree Disagree
Strongly/ Agree Agree Strongly/ Disagree Disagree Not
Somewhat Strongly Somewhat Somewhat Somewhat Strongly Sure
(Net) (Net)
% % % % % % %
Advertising by
the food
industry that
is directed
towards children
is a major
contributor to
the rising rate
of childhood
obesity. 67 28 39 29 20 9 4
If children in the
U.S. are becoming
obese it's because
parents are not
paying enough
attention to
their eating
habits, not
because of the
food
industry's
marketing
and advertising. 82 54 28 12 9 3 5
The government
should play a
more active
role in
regulating the
types of
marketing and
advertising
that the food
industry
directs toward
children. 56 21 34 39 22 17 5
Obesity among
children will
lead to higher
health care
costs for all
Americans. 86 64 22 7 4 3 7
Public schools
should do more
to limit
children's access
to unhealthy
foods like snack
foods, sugary soft
drinks and fast
food. 83 53 30 14 9 4 3
The government
should take
companies to
court if they
mislead children
and their
parents about
the nutritional
value of the
foods they
sell. 55 24 31 37 21 17 7
Local governments
should use zoning
regulations to
limit fast food
restaurants near
schools. 37 14 23 55 27 28 8
Public schools
should do more
to promote
regular exercise,
including regular
recess. 93 76 17 2 1 1 5
Parents need to
lead by example
by being
physically
active
themselves
and encouraging
their children
to be physically
active. 93 81 12 2 2 * 4
Note: Percentages may not add up to 100% due to rounding.
Downloadable PDFs of Wall Street Journal Online/Harris Interactive Health-Care Polls are posted at http://www.harrisinteractive.com/news/newsletters_wsj.asp.
Methodology
Harris Interactive(R) conducted this online survey within the United States between June 26 and 28, 2006 among 2,078 adults, ages 18 years and over, of whom 432 are parents or guardians of children age 12 and under. Figures for age, gender, race/ethnicity, education, income and region were weighted where necessary to align with population proportions. Propensity score weighting was also used to adjust for respondents' propensity to be online.
All surveys are subject to several sources of error. These include: sampling error (because only a sample of a population is interviewed); measurement error due to question wording and/or question order, deliberately or unintentionally inaccurate responses, nonresponse (including refusals), interviewer effects (when live interviewers are used) and weighting.
With one exception (sampling error) the magnitude of the errors that result cannot be estimated. There is, therefore, no way to calculate a finite "margin of error" for any survey and the use of these words should be avoided.
With pure probability samples, with 100 percent response rates, it is possible to calculate the probability that the sampling error (but not other sources of error) is not greater than some number. With pure probability samples of 2,078 adults, one could say with a ninety-five percent probability that the results have a sampling error of 3 percentage points. However that does not take other sources of error into account. This online survey is not based on a probability sample and therefore no theoretical sampling error can be calculated.
These statements conform to the principles of disclosure of the National Council on Public Polls.
About the Survey
The Wall Street Journal Online/Harris Interactive Health-Care Poll is an exclusive poll that is published in the award-winning Health Industry Edition of The Wall Street Journal Online at http://www.wsj.com/health.
About The Wall Street Journal Online
The Wall Street Journal Online at WSJ.com, published by Dow Jones & Company (NYSE: DJ; http://www.dowjones.com/), is the largest paid subscription news site on the Web. Launched in 1996, the Online Journal continues to attract quality subscribers that are at the top of their industries, with 761,000 subscribers world-wide as of Q1, 2006.
The Online Journal provides in-depth business news and financial information 24 hours a day, seven days a week, with insight and analysis, including breaking business and technology news and analysis from around the world. It draws on the Dow Jones network of nearly 1,900 business and financial news staff-the largest network of business and financial journalists in the world. The Online Journal also features exclusive content, including interactive graphics on business and world news, and online-only columns about the automotive industry, technology, personal finance and more.
The Online Journal offers three industry-specific verticals: the award- winning Health, Media & Marketing and now Law. Health offers authoritative analysis, breaking news and commentary from top industry journalists. Media & Marketing is designed for professionals in the advertising, marketing, entertainment and media industries. Law is designed to provide law firms and attorneys timely information on events and trends important to the legal market. Subscribers to all also get access to the full content of the Online Journal.
In 2005, the Online Journal was awarded a Codie Award for Best Online News Service for the second consecutive year, and its Health Industry Edition was awarded Best Online Science or Technology Service for the third consecutive year. In 2004, the Online Journal received an EPpy Award for Best Internet Business Service over 1 million monthly visitors.
The Wall Street Journal Online network includes CareerJournal.com, OpinionJournal.com, StartupJournal.com, RealEstateJournal.com and CollegeJournal.com.
About Harris Interactive
Harris Interactive is the 13th largest and fastest-growing market research firm in the world. The company provides research-driven insights and strategic advice to help its clients make more confident decisions which lead to measurable and enduring improvements in performance. Harris Interactive is widely known for The Harris Poll, one of the longest running, independent opinion polls and for pioneering online market research methods. The company has built what could conceivably be the world's largest panel of survey respondents, the Harris Poll Online. Harris Interactive serves clients worldwide through its United States, Europe and Asia offices, its wholly-owned subsidiary Novatris in France and through a global network of independent market research firms. The service bureau, HISB, provides its market research industry clients with mixed-mode data collection, panel development services as well as syndicated and tracking research consultation. More information about Harris Interactive may be obtained at http://www.harrisinteractive.com/.
To become a member of the Harris Poll Online, visit http://www.harrispollonline.com/.
(1) Agree strongly or somewhat.
(2) Disagree strongly or somewhat.
Press Contacts:
Jennifer Cummings
Harris Interactive
585-214-7720
Christine Mohan
Dow Jones & Company
212-416-2114
Harris Interactive Inc. 07/06
