Television commercials for snack products have a powerful influence on its viewers, especially university students.

Kim Raine, a director of the University of Alberta's Centre for Health Promotion Studies, investigated whether TV viewership and recognition of snack advertisements were associated with snack food consumption and the odds of being overweight.

What the researchers found was quite alarming.

University students who watched over four hours or more of TV per day snacked more frequently while watching TV, and consumed more energy-dense snacks than students who viewed less than one hour of TV per day. Specifically, male students and medium-to-high television viewers had higher odds of being overweight or obese.

"The link between how much a person snacks while watching TV was directly related to viewing food advertisements," said John Spence, co-author of the study and U of A professor in the Faculty of Physical Education and Recreation. "The exposure to the advertising seems to stimulate a desire to eat that particular food product. Also, sitting watching TV provides a prime opportunity to snack."