Effect of food marketing on food purchase request, eating behaviour and dental caries amongst 5–8 year old children belonging to different socioeconomic backgrounds

Abstract

IntroductionAggressive food marketing directed towards children and globalization has caused a nutritional shift in developing nations like India from the minimally processed to ultra-processed food, contributing to the increased risk of dental caries. The current study was undertaken to assess the outcome of food marketing exposure on food purchase requests, eating behaviour and dental health. MethodologyThis cross-sectional study included 260 children aged 5–8 years belonging to different socioeconomic background. Food marketing exposure was assessed using brand logo recognition scale, purchase request behaviour and eating behaviour were measured using questionnaire filled by parents and oral examination was done to record the caries score. ResultsThe mean brand logo recognition score was 15.67, high percentage of parents reported that their children try to influence (40.38% always, 34.61% often) and succeed in influencing (26.92% always, 40.38% often) the food purchase in the family. A large percentage of children consumed packaged snacks (40%), biscuits (75%), candies/chocolates (50%) and sweetened beverages (31%) at least once a day. The mean caries score was 1.41 and the overall caries prevalence was 42.30%. Adjusted for age, gender and socioeconomic group brand logo recognition was significantly associated with purchase request and eating behaviour but not with caries score. ConclusionChildren are found to be able to influence the food purchase practice at home and are clearly are well versed with brand logo recognition. The children from both the socio-economic groups reported similar Brand logo score recognition and food purchase request behaviour scores.