Abstract
The nutritional composition of foods marketed to children is important, as it can significantly influence children’s preferences. The objective of this research was to evaluate the presence of child-oriented food products in the food supply and to investigate their nutritional composition. The sample included 8191 prepacked foods in the Slovenian food supply available in the market in 2015. The nutrient profile (World Health Organisation Regional Office for Europe nutrient profile model) of the products with child-targeted promotions was compared to the nutrient profile of those without child-targeted promotions. Food categories with the highest proportion of products with child-focused promotions were “Breakfast Cereals” (17%), “Chocolate and Sugar Confectionery” (15%) and “Edible Ices” (13%). Altogether, 93% of all products with child-focused promotions and 73% of products without such promotions were classified as “not permitted”. The proportion of “not permitted” foods was significantly higher in products with child-targeted promotions, compared with products without child-targeted promotions (p < 0.0001), and this trend was observed in a majority of food categories. To protect children from exposure to the marketing of foods with less favourable nutritional compositions, public health strategies should be focused also towards limiting promotions of unhealthy foods to children on product packaging, not only in media.
Highlights
Childhood obesity has become a significant public health concern and one of the major epidemiological challenges around the globe [1], including in Slovenia [2]
For the purpose of the present study, we evaluated the nutritional composition of foods included in this study by the WHO Regional Office for Europe nutrient profile model (WHO NP) [36]
The objective of the present study is to evaluate the presence of child-oriented food products in the food supply and to investigate their nutritional composition using the WHO Regional Office for Europe nutrient profile model
Summary
Childhood obesity has become a significant public health concern and one of the major epidemiological challenges around the globe [1], including in Slovenia [2]. Frequent exposure to food promotions contributes to strong positive affect towards specific brands and products. This could be potentially harmful, with a negative impact on children’s diets and long-term health, especially if the promoted foods are energy dense and/or high in unfavourable constituents [4]. Targeted marketing, which is extensively used to advertise different food products to children, raises serious concerns, as children are an especially vulnerable population and are influenced and misled [5]. By promoting energy-dense foods, high in fat and sugar and low in micronutrients and fibre, the food industry is identified as an important contributor to the childhood obesity problem
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