Food Advertising Research Articles

The promotion of ultra-processed foods in modern retail food outlets in rural and urban areas in Kenya.

To assess the availability and marketing of ultra-processed foods (UPFs) in modern retail food outlets (supermarkets and minimarts) in Kenya and associated factors. This cross-sectional study was conducted in Kenya from August 2021 to October 2021. Variables included; the geographic location and the socioeconomic status levels (SES), the food items displayed for sale and advertised in the stores, and locations in the stores such as the entrance. Three counties in Kenya (Nairobi - urban, Mombasa - coastal tourist, and Baringo- rural). Each county was stratified into high and low SES using national poverty indices. Food outlets that offered a self-service, had at least one check-out, and had a minimum of two stocked aisles were assessed. Of 115 outlets assessed, UPFs occupied 33% of the cumulative shelf space. UPFs were the most advertised foods (60%) and constituted 40% of foods available for sale. The most commonly used promotional characters were cartoon characters (18%). UPFs were significantly more available for sale in Mombasa (urban) compared to Baringo (rural) (Adjusted prevalence rate ratios (APRR): 1.13, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.00-1.26, p=0.005). UPFs advertisements were significantly higher in Mombasa ((APRR): 2.18: 1.26-3.79, p= 0.005) compared to Baringo and Nairobi counties. There was a significantly higher rate of advertisement of UPFs in larger outlets ((APRR): 1.68: 1.06-2.67 p=0.001) compared to smaller outlets. The high marketing and availability of UPFs in modern retail outlets in Kenya calls for policies regulating unhealthy food advertisements in different settings in the country.

Children’s self-reported exposure to sugary beverage advertisements and association with intake across six countries before and during the COVID-19 pandemic: a repeat cross-sectional study

BackgroundChildren’s exposure to sugary beverage advertising may have changed during the COVID-19 pandemic due to shifts in media habits, which could subsequently have influenced intake. This study aimed to examine: 1) children’s frequency and setting of exposure to advertisements of sugary beverages in six countries before and during the COVID-19 pandemic; 2) the association between exposure to sugary beverage advertisements and intake.MethodsChildren aged 10–17 years (n = 28,908) in Australia, Canada, Chile, Mexico, the United Kingdom (UK) and the United States (US) completed online surveys in 2019, 2020 and 2021 as part of the International Food Policy Study using a repeat cross-sectional study design. Respondents self-reported frequency and setting of exposure to sugary beverage advertisements, location of school classes (in-person/online, 2020–2021 only), screen time, and sugary beverage intake. Adjusted weighted logistic and negative binomial regression models stratified by country examined associations between year and reported sugary beverage advertising exposure, and associations between sugary beverage advertising exposure and intake. Differences in reported advertising exposure between students taking online or in-person school classes were explored.ResultsSelf-reported exposure to advertisements for sugary beverages at least weekly was relatively stable across years within countries, with differences in settings of exposure. Exposure to sugary beverage advertisements increased on digital media independently of screen time from 2019 to 2021 in Australia, Canada, the UK and US, with a concomitant decrease in exposure in retail settings in all countries except the UK. In Australia and the UK, children attending all classes online were more likely to report at least weekly (vs less than once a week) exposure to sugary beverage advertisements, and children attending all classes online were more likely to report exposure to advertisements on digital media and in other settings (e.g., billboard, magazines) compared to children attending in-person classes in Australia, Canada and the UK. Exposure to sugary beverage advertisements at least weekly (IRR = 1.12,99%CI:1.09–1.15) and in each of the settings was associated with sugary beverage intake.ConclusionsExposure to digital advertisements for sugary beverages increased from 2019 to 2021 in most countries, and exposure was associated with sugary beverage intake. Reducing children’s exposure to advertising of less healthy foods, including on digital media, may reduce sugary beverage intake.

An extended theory of planned behavior approach for assessing factors affecting street food consumption in the Philippines

Changes in behavioral aspect in food consumption prevailed in recent times, especially the rise of street food popularity in different countries. With scarce literature available, research on consumption and behavioral intentions in street foods was evident. This study considered an extended theory of planned behavior framework for the holistic assessment of consumption intention of street foods. With 1601 valid responses collected in the Philippines, structural equation modelling was applied for the causal relationship analysis of factors influencing consumption intention of street foods in the Philippines. Results indicated that perceived food quality and utilitarian eating values presented as contributing factor affecting attitude, while utilitarian eating values affected consumption intention with higher beta value over hedonic eating values and consumer behavioral domains. Following which was perceived monetary aspects, subjective norm and perceived behavioral control, and consumer attitude. Meanwhile, hedonic eating value negatively associated with consumption intention, but positive on consumers’ attitude. Managerial implications, practical suggestions, and thorough discussion were presented for other researchers to build on the findings which can be extended into other aspects related to local to foreign food and beverage advertisement, selling, and advancement. Furthermore, the results and framework utilized in this study can be further extended and applied to other aspects of consumer behavior in relation to other food industries.

Navigating the online food environment: policy pathways for promoting food access, transparency, and healthy food choices online.

The internet is drastically changing how U.S. consumers shop for groceries, order food from restaurants, and interact with food marketing. There is an urgent need for new policies to help ensure that the internet is a force for good when it comes to food access, transparency, and nutrition. This article outlines actions that federal agencies-like the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and Federal Trade Commission (FTC)-and state and local governments can take to improve the online food environment. We recommend policies in three settings: online grocery retail, online restaurant ordering, and marketing on social media and other online platforms. For example, USDA could finalize regulations increasing access to online WIC and remove barriers to accessing online SNAP by requiring large retailers to waive online delivery and service fees for SNAP purchases. FDA could improve access to nutrition information by issuing guidance describing what product information should be available at the online point of selection. FTC could give better guidance on appropriate tactics when marketing to children and collect better data on how companies are marketing food to children online. Finally, state governments could pass laws like New York's recently introduced Predatory Marketing Prevention Act to address false and misleading advertising of unhealthy foods aimed at children and other vulnerable groups.

Young people's perspectives on policies to create healthier food environments in England.

Food environments are important determinants of healthy diets among young people. This study explored young people's perspectives on their food environment, their recommendations to policymakers and views on youth engagement in policy processes. There is limited research on young people's perspectives on their involvement in developing food environment policies. Youth engagement in policymaking processes can lead to greater policy integrity and inclusivity. Four focus group discussions were conducted with 39 young people (12-21 years) from a town in North West England and a metropolitan area in the English Midlands. Participants were recruited through youth organizations. Data were analysed using inductive thematic analysis. Young people reported concerns about the density of fast food outlets in their local area, the unaffordability of healthier food, and fast food advertisement. These issues were not believed to be prioritized in local and national policymaking. Accordingly, policy recommendations were mainly for structural food environment policies, including restrictions on fast food outlet density and incentives for menu reformulation. Young people did not feel involved in local decisions about the food environment. They expressed a need for more meaningful engagement beyond consultation. Young people have repeatedly shown to have a deep understanding of the social, commercial and political factors that influence diet and health. It is essential that policymakers aiming to improve young people's diets take their unique views and concerns into account to create effective policies that resonate with young people.

Consumer Intention to Purchase Organic Ice Cream: How Health Awareness and Product Knowledge Support SDG 3 on Good Health and Well-Being

Objective: The study aims to examine the factors influencing consumer purchase intention towards organic ice cream in Indonesia. Adopting organic food products aligns with SDG 3, which promotes a healthy lifestyle. Theoretical Framework: This study employs the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) framework as the foundation for model development. The TPB model is expanded with additional variables: health awareness and product knowledge. Method: This type of research is quantitative research with a sample of 262 respondents. The sampling technique in this study used purposive sampling, and the data collection method used a survey. To test the data collected with Structural Equation Model (SEM) Partial Least Square (PLS). Results and Discussion: Consumers with high knowledge about the health benefits of organic ice cream tend to have a higher intention to purchase it. Product knowledge has a positive and significant indirect impact on the intention to buy organic ice cream through its influence on attitude. Research Implications: Our research highlights the knowledge gap regarding organic ice cream, in developing countries such as Indonesia. By extending the TPB model, we provide a more nuanced understanding of consumer decision-making processes. Originality/Value: Theoretically, this study addresses a gap in the existing literature by examining the mediating role of attitudes in predicting the intention to purchase organic ice cream. In practice, marketers need to increase organic food advertising and conduct consumer education to help them recognize organic products and their good health effects.

Perceptions of Food Marketing and Media Use among Canadian Teenagers: A Cross-Sectional Survey.

Despite the prevalence of digital food marketing to teenagers and its potential impact on food preferences and consumption, little is known about the specific food advertisements teenagers see in Canada and how they perceive them. Further, few studies consult teenagers directly about their perceptions of teen-specific food marketing content. To shed light on such issues, this study examines perceptions of food marketing and self-reported media use of Canadian teenagers via an online survey. Four hundred and sixty-four teenagers (ages 13-17) participated. Overall, teenagers identified Instagram and TikTok as the most popular social media platforms. The top food or beverage brands that teens felt specifically targeted them were McDonald's, Starbucks, Coca-Cola and Tim Hortons, while Instagram was deemed the most important media platform when it comes to teen-targeted food marketing. Teens deemed "celebrity" and "visual style" as the most important (food and beverage) advertising techniques when it comes to persuading teenagers to buy. Overall, the study provides insights into teen media use and brand preference, including the brands teens feel target them most directly and what they consider to be salient in terms of the food advertising they see. It also provides valuable details for researchers seeking to further identify and measure elements of teen-targeted food marketing.

Nigerian adolescents’ exposure to fast food marketing via Instagram

ObjectivesTo explore the promotion of fast food to lower-income adolescents on Instagram with the specific aims of (i) identifying the marketing strategies used by fast food brands on Instagram to promote fast food to Nigerian adolescents and (ii) examining the influence of these strategies on user engagement.DesignA content analysis of posts from a 90-day period of the Instagram accounts of five fast-food brands in Nigeria was conducted. Overall, 576 posts were analysed, using a codebook developed based on the relevant literature, to identify adolescent-targeted strategies. User engagement was measured by number of likes each post received.ResultsThe observed brands frequently utilised adolescent-targeted marketing strategies, with the most popular strategies being emotional appeal, ‘teen language’ and product appeal. The results of Mann-Whitney U tests revealed significant associations between the use of these promotional strategies and user engagement. Adolescent-aimed strategies like product appeal and competitions resulted in higher user engagement with fast food promotional content.ConclusionFast food companies heavily target lower income adolescents through the use of Instagram. This raises health concerns related to the consumption of unhealthy food that arises from regular advertising in that demographic. Further, this exposure increases ad interactions that could cause adolescents to view fast foods more positively. Overall, findings indicate the need for actions aiming to limit and reduce the effect of adolescents’ exposure to fast food marketing on social media, to target the features of social media platforms which affords users the ability to interact with fast food advertisements.

Decreases in purchases of energy, sodium, sugar, and saturated fat 3 years after implementation of the Chilean food labeling and marketing law: An interrupted time series analysis.

In 2016, Chile implemented a multiphase set of policies that mandated warning labels, restricted food marketing to children, and banned school sales of foods and beverages high in nutrients of concern ("high-in" foods). Chile's law, particularly the warning label component, set the precedent for a rapid global proliferation of similar policies. While our initial evaluation showed policy-linked decreases in purchases of high-in, a longer-term evaluation is needed, particularly as later phases of Chile's law included stricter nutrient thresholds and introduced a daytime ban on advertising of high-in foods for all audiences. The objective is to evaluate changes in purchases of energy, sugar, sodium, and saturated fat purchased after Phase 2 implementation of the Chilean policies. This interrupted time series study used longitudinal data on monthly food and beverage purchases from 2,844 Chilean households (138,391 household-months) from July 1, 2013 until June 25, 2019. Nutrition facts panel data from food and beverage packages were linked at the product level and reviewed by nutritionists. Products were considered "high-in" if they contained added sugar, sodium, or saturated fat and exceeded nutrient or calorie thresholds. Using correlated random-effects models and an interrupted time series design, we estimated the nutrient content of food and beverage purchases associated with Phase 1 and Phase 2 compared to a counterfactual scenario based on trends during a 36-month pre-policy timeframe. Compared to the counterfactual, we observed significant decreases in high-in purchases of foods and beverages during Phase 2, including a relative 36.8% reduction in sugar (-30.4 calories/capita/day, 95% CI -34.5, -26.3), a 23.0% relative reduction in energy (-51.6 calories/capita/day, 95% CI -60.7, -42.6), a 21.9% relative reduction in sodium (-85.8 mg/capita/day, 95% CI -105.0, -66.7), and a 15.7% relative reduction in saturated fat (-6.4 calories/capita/day, 95% CI -8.4, -4.3), while purchases of not-high-in foods and drinks increased. Reductions in sugar and energy purchases were driven by beverage purchases, whereas reductions in sodium and saturated fat were driven by foods. Compared to the counterfactual, changes in both high-in purchases and not high-in purchases observed in Phase 2 tended to be larger than changes observed in Phase 1. The pattern of changes in purchases was similar for households of lower versus higher socioeconomic status. A limitation of this study is that some results were sensitive to the use of shorter pre-policy time frames. Compared to a counterfactual based on a 36-month pre-policy timeframe, Chilean policies on food labeling, marketing, and school food sales led to declines in nutrients of concern during Phase 2 of implementation, particularly from foods and drinks high in nutrients of concern. These declines were sustained or even increased over phases of policy implementation.

Analysis of Language Style in Food and Beverage Advertising Slogans and Their Recommendations as Teaching Materials For Advertising Texts in SMP

The purpose of this study is to characterize the linguistic styles used in online slogans for food and beverage products. The numerous food and beverage product ads that use catchy slogans to attract large audiences served as the inspiration for this study. In order to assess the data and provide descriptive conclusions, this study employs a qualitative descriptive method. The study's findings indicate that the slogans of online ads for food and drink products contain many linguistic styles, such as personification, metaphor, hyperbole, and repetition. By presenting the language styles that have been discovered into teaching materials, the study's findings can be used to create advertising text learning handouts for junior high school students in grades VIII. This will help students understand the language styles used in advertising slogans.

Genetic associations with consumption of palatable foods in the absence of hunger in response to food cues in children.

The objective of this study is to evaluate obesity-related genetic factors in relation to excess consumption and assess if food cues modify associations. Children (9-12 years) completed a randomized crossover experiment. During two visits, children ate a preload and then snacks ad libitum while watching television, embedded with food or non-food advertisements to assess eating in the absence of hunger (EAH). Primary exposures were obesity-associated genotypes, FTO rs9939609 and MC4R rs571312, and a paediatric-specific polygenic risk score (PRS). Outcomes included consumption of all snacks (total EAH) and gummy candy only (gummy candy EAH). Linear mixed-effects models tested whether genetic exposures related to EAH outcomes. We tested for effect modification by food cues using multiplicative interaction terms. Among 177 children, each FTO risk allele was associated with a 30% increase in gummy candy EAH (p = 0.025) in adjusted models. Food cue exposure exacerbated associations between the FTO variant with gummy candy EAH (p = 0.046). No statistically significant associations were found between MC4R and EAH. The results suggest children with the FTO rs9939609 risk allele may be predisposed to excess consumption of candy and that this association may be exacerbated by food cues.

High Visual Complexity or Low Visual Complexity: A Study Related to Food Advertising on Instagram

This article examines the impact of visual complexity (V-complexity) (high/low) on consumer pleasure, arousal and purchase intention when exposed to food advertisements on Instagram. Initially, a manipulation check was performed by getting several Instagram food advertisements rated by 100 Instagram users based on V-complexity. Later, an online questionnaire link was sent to the respondents with pictures of advertisements with high and low V-complexity. Partial least square structural equation modelling was used on 215 usable responses with the use of the SMART-PLS software. The findings revealed that high levels of V-complexity generate arousal and pleasure and influence purchase intention. In contrast, low V-complexity doesn’t influence arousal and pleasure but affects purchase intention. This is the first study that explores the role of V-complexity in Instagram food advertising performed in a developing economy. This research also contributes to the growing body of knowledge on the V-complexity of social media food marketing.

Feeding Ethology of the Domestic Dog (Canis familiaris) Correlates with the Phenomenon of Classical Conditioning

Aim: Feeding ethology of Canis familiaris is closely related to their overall health and wellbeing. Domestic dog (Canis familiaris) acquire behaviors, attitudes, ideas and new knowledge through the process of learning. This learning can occur through both conscious and unconscious pathways. One of those unconscious methods of learning in case of Canis familiaris is classical conditioning. It is a learning process in which learning occurs by association. It is a process of learning in which an automatic, conditioned response is paired with a specific stimuli and the dog’s innate reflexes are conditioned to react to subtle signals. Over time, the dog learns to associate the subtle signal with the specific event. This phenomenon has been well-illustrated in the Pavlov’s experiment. Conclusion: The unconditioned response in this experiment was the dog salivating for food and the conditioned stimulus was the stimulus that can eventually trigger a conditioned response. In this case, the conditioned stimulus was the ringing of the bell for the dog to have its food and the conditioned response was the salivation caused in the dog. Eventually, the dog could associate the ringing of the bell with the food and would salivate at the sound of the bell alone. However, classical conditioning describes how environmental stimuli such as advertisements of food can activate physiological and psychological responses in a dog causing cravings for food and increased salivation. Thus the body of Canis familiaris adapts itself to the given conditioned reflex and expects food exactly at the same time everyday.

Trends in Children’s Exposure to Food and Beverage Advertising on Television

Reducing children's exposure to advertisements promoting unhealthy foods and beverages has been recognized by the World Health Organization as a key strategy to improve children's diets and reduce childhood obesity. To examine changes in children's exposure to food-related (food, beverage, and restaurant) television advertising, including for products high in nutrients to limit (NTL; ie, saturated fat, trans fat, total sugars, and sodium) based on federal Interagency Working Group guidelines, following changes in the voluntary industry self-regulatory Children's Food and Beverage Advertising Initiative (CFBAI). This repeated cross-sectional study used US television ratings data on advertising exposure from The Nielsen Company for 2013, 2014, 2015, 2018, and 2022. Food and beverage product advertisements were assessed for nutritional content. Participants included 2- to 5-year-old and 6-to 11-year-old children. Data analysis was performed from July 2023 to January 2024. Changes in CFBAI standards in 2014 and 2020. The primary outcome was the number of food-related advertisements seen per year and percentage of food and beverage product advertisements high in NTL, on all programming and children's programming (defined as ≥35% child audience share). From 2013 to 2022, total advertisements seen per year declined by 77.6% (from 4611 to 1035) for 2- to 5-year-olds and by 78.5% (from 4860 to 1046) for 6- to 11-year-olds. Advertisements seen on children's programming decreased by 95.1% (from 1703 to 84 per year) for 2- to 5-year-olds and by 97.0% (from 1745 to 52 per year) for 6- to 11-year-olds. The percentages of advertisements for products high in NTL decreased from 2013 to 2022 but were still high: 68.9% for all programming and 63.9% for children's programming for 2- to 5-year-olds, and 68.4% for all programming and 60.6% for children's programming for 6- to 11-year-olds. The majority (51%-52%) of CFBAI-member food and beverage advertisements on children's programming remained high in NTL. Black children saw more food-related television advertisements than White children (58% more for 2- to 5-year-olds and 72% more for 6- to 11-year-olds); however, the percentage of advertisements for food and beverage products high in NTL seen was similar by race. In this repeated cross-sectional study of children's exposure to food-related television advertisements, exposure via children's programming decreased substantially. However, most advertisements seen were still for unhealthy products, and exposure from all programming remained substantial. Findings of more than 90% of advertising exposure not from children's programming and more than 1000 food-related advertisements seen per year suggest the need for government regulations based on time of day rather than programming.

The Effect of Advertising on Increasing Sales of Food Products

Reducing the consumption of unhealthy food is a major public health priority. Food marketing is part of the collateral environment that influences children’s food preferences and diet. The food, beverage, and restaurant industries are the biggest individual product advertisers. As such, there is a large concern that advertising can lead to obesity, which may lead to various health problems. The food advertising that children are exposed to falls into two main categories. The first consists of food advertising, and the second consists of food product packaging, which includes television advertising as well as packages of food sold at the supermarket. Advertising is a major business expense that affects certain food product sales. Well-targeted advertising helps to successfully promote food products. The main objective of any for-profit company, like any advertising campaign, is to create sales, and this study is directly interested in examining the impact that food advertising has on food sales. The main purpose of this paper is to determine the factors that more heavily affect the increase of sales of food products, taking into account that advertising has a positive influence.

Gaya Bahasa dan Teknik Persuasif dalam Iklan Makanan Daring Izakaya Jepang

The structure of advertisements consists of language, images, and motion that contain words with emotions and form imagination, thus influencing the readers and listeners to act as expected by the advertisers. The diction and language style used in their food promotion advertisements is very diverse and attractive due to the persuasive effect on readers and potential consumers. The purpose of this research is to determine the stylistic elements, namely language style and persuasive technique found in the online advertisements of Izakaya (Japanese-style bar) with data sources taken from three Izakaya companies: Torikizoku, Ikkyu, and Hananomai in Tokyo, Japan. The theory used is the theory of language style and persuasive language function by Gorys Keraf. In conducting this research, the author uses a qualitative method. The analysis technique uses the literature study method. Data is obtained by documenting food advertisements on the official websites of Izakaya Torikizoku, Ikkyu, and Hananomai in Tokyo. From the analysis results, 9 data containing the language style of hyperbole identified in words or phrases such as "Nikusenda~!! Nikumatsuri", "Kokoro mo kaiwa mo uruou, kono ippai," and "Heisei no hitto menyuu hajimarimashita. Kansha no fukkatsu" and 3 data containing the language style of repetition were found, which can be seen in the words "niku," "umai," and "houdai." Furthermore, the persuasive functions found were suggestion eight times, rationalization six times, substitution four times, and conformity one time.

The Construction of Attitudinal Meaning in Response to Food Advertisements: Six Case Studies

Emotional responses are an important part in the response to an advert. Often this is related just to the information directly provided but sometimes it relies, either intentionally or not, on information derived from wider social contexts and knowledge. In Appraisal Theory, this part of the process is described as Appreciation. This study considers six adverts and how different parts of Appraisal Theory may be key to their understanding and whether there is a link between advert design and the adopted meaning making process.

An environmental scan of food and drink advertising on public transport around Adelaide schools.

Children and adolescents are particularly receptive to cues from food and drink advertising. Several policies recommend restricting unhealthy or discretionary ('junk') food advertising on government infrastructure such as public transport. Prior research in New South Wales (NSW) and Western Australia (WA) reveals a high proportion of discretionary food advertising outdoors and on public transport. The aim of this study was to identify the landscape of food and drink advertising on public transport assets around Adelaide schools. An environmental scan of food and drink advertising on public transport assets within 500 m of 65 Adelaide schools was conducted. The Council of Australian Governments Health Council's interim guide was used to categorise advertisements as 'suitable' or 'unsuitable' for promotion. Almost four in every five food and drink advertisements on public-transport assets observed around Adelaide schools included discretionary food or drink, and therefore were categorised as unsuitable for promotion. Advertisements on bus exteriors were more likely to promote discretionary foods, compared with bus shelters. This proportion of 'unhealthy' food advertising was comparable to previous research conducted in WA and NSW. SO WHAT?: In light of historic state/territory actions such as the ACT preventing discretionary food advertising on public transport, these findings should prompt a review and discussion of the suitability of food and drink promotion on government-owned South Australian transport and their associated assets.

Comparing the number of outdoor sugar-sweetened beverage and caffeinated beverage advertisements near schools by school type and school-level economic advantage.

Sugar-sweetened beverage and caffeinated beverage consumption are associated with a variety of health issues among youth. Food and beverage marketing has been shown to affect youth's preferences, purchases, and consumption of marketed products. Previous research suggests that outdoor food and beverage marketing differs by community demographics, with more advertisements in lower-income communities and near schools. The purpose of this study is to examine the density of sugar-sweetened and caffeinated beverage advertisements near schools by school type (middle vs. high school) and by school-level SES. Data are from the Outdoor Measuring and Evaluating the Determinants and Influence of Advertising (MEDIA)study, which documented and described all outdoor food and beverage advertisements near 47 middle and high schools in 2012. Beverage advertisements were categorized as: sugar-sweetened/caffeinated, sugar-sweetened/non-caffeinated, non-sugar-sweetened/caffeinated, or non-sugar-sweetened/non-caffeinated. Schools were categorized by type (middle vs high) and by SES as determined by the percentage of students qualifying for free or reduced-price lunch. Bootstrapped non-parametric Mann-Whitney U tests compared the number of advertisements in each category by school type and school-level SES (higher vs lower). Compared to schools with higher SES, schools with lower SES had significantly more advertisements for sugar-sweetened/non-caffeinated beverages (Medianlow = 28.5 (IQR 17-69), vs Medianhigh = 10.5 (IQR 4-17) (p = 0.002)., sugar-sweetened non-caffeinated (Medianlow = 46 (IQR 16-99) vs Medianhigh = 13.5 (IQR 6-25), p = 0.002), -sugar-sweetened caffeinated (Medianlow = 12 (IQR 8-19) vs Medianhigh = 6 (IQR 2-8), p = 0.000), and non-sugar-sweetened non-caffeinated (Medianlow = 30 (IQR 13-65) vs Medianhigh = 14 (IQR 4-29), p = 0.045).There were no significant differences by school type. This study adds to the literature demonstrating pervasive marketing of unhealthy products in lower-income communities. Disproportionate exposure to sugar-sweetened and caffeinated beverage advertisements in lower-income communities may contribute to the disparities in associated health outcomes by economic status.

Exploring textual–visual strategies in internet-based light food advertising: a study of Taobao advertisements in China

Amidst global health concerns such as COVID-19 and rising obesity rates, the connection between food choices, societal well-being, and cultural shifts has gained attention. In China, the rise of “light food” consumption on platforms like Taobao reflects a growing trend towards health-conscious dietary preferences. With a dataset comprising 633 images and 45,817 words, condensed into 50 images for analysis, this research aims to understand how these advertisements influence perceptions of healthiness and desirability, and whether there is a discrepancy between advertised health benefits and actual nutritional content. This study delves into the advertising strategies employed for light food products on the Taobao platform in China, utilizing a Textual–Visual Thematic Analysis (TVTA) framework. Noteworthy findings include: (1) Internet-based light food advertising adopts a dual textual and visual approach. (2) Identification of prevalent multimodal devices, such as medium shots, varied camera angles, vibrant colors, and large size. (3) Uncovering inconsistencies in presentation that may pose potential consumer misperceptions. These discoveries underscore the nuanced landscape of light food advertising, offering valuable insights for both academia and industry.