Junk Food Marketing Research Articles

Junk Food Marketing – A Study among Youth

Junk Food Marketing – A Study among Youth

The Other Pandemic: A Conceptual Framework and Future Research Directions of Junk Food Marketing to Children and Childhood Obesity

During the last two decades, childhood obesity has become a global pandemic, creating harmful impacts on children, tutors, and society. If the obesity/overweight trend continues upwards, especially in developing countries, it may significantly alter millions of children's professional, social, and psychological well-being. Furthermore, it is conceivable that when obesity/overweight issues appear at a young age, they may persist during adulthood and disrupt individual development and community well-being. By targeting children at a very young age and with a broad array of strategies, junk food marketers have often been accused of inducing children to (over)consume junk food from an early age and throughout adolescence until adulthood. This paper reviews the literature about childhood obesity/overweight and junk food marketing strategies to develop a conceptual framework delineating the forces and counter-forces to the childhood obesity phenomenon and identify avenues for future research and managers.

Making sense of adolescent-targeted social media food marketing: A qualitative study of expert views on key definitions, priorities and challenges

Traditional food marketing stimulates adolescents' consumption of energy-dense, nutrient-poor foods. These dietary behaviours may track into adulthood and lead to weight gain, obesity and related non-communicable diseases. While social media use in adolescents has proliferated, little is known about the content of food marketing within these platforms, and how this impacts adolescents' dietary behaviours. This paper aimed to obtain expert insights on factors involved in the association between social media food marketing (SMFM) and adolescent dietary behaviours, and to explore their views on key priorities, challenges and strategies for future SMFM research and policies. One-on-one semi-structured interviews (n = 17) were conducted with experts from Western Europe, Australia and North America, in the fields of public health (policy), nutrition science, social media marketing, adolescent medicine, clinical psychology, behavioural sciences, communication, food industry, social influencing, and social marketing. The experts' collective responses identified that the line between food content posted by social media users and food companies is blurred. Adolescents' processing of SMFM may be mostly implicit, involving social comparison, emotional engagement, and attaching symbolic meanings to foods. Mediating factors and adolescent-specific and SMFM-specific moderating factors potentially influencing adolescents' response to SMFM were summarized in a Social Ecological model. Experts agreed that there is limited scientific evidence on adolescent-targeted SMFM and there are no strict regulations in place to protect adolescents from unhealthy SMFM, while adolescents are active social media users who are cognitively vulnerable to implicit marketing tactics. Adolescent-targeted SMFM should be controlled by encouraging healthy food marketing or limiting junk food marketing. Also, prioritizing both quantitative research on SMFM exposure and its impact, and qualitative research to obtain adolescents’ perspectives, is crucial to advocate for regulatory changes regarding adolescent-targeted SMFM content.

Curbing a Stealth Health Threat: Regulation of Child-Directed “Stealth” Junk Food Marketing

American children are in the midst of a deadly epidemic that social distancing, masks, and handwashing can do nothing to curb: the childhood obesity epidemic.1 In the United States, childhood obesi...

Hooked on Junk: Emerging Evidence on How Food Marketing Affects Adolescents’ Diets and Long-Term Health

Examine current research on how adolescents are influenced by junk food marketing; inform proposed policies to expand food marketing restrictions to protect children up to age 17. Previous food marketing effects research focused primarily on TV advertising to younger children. However, recent research with adolescents demonstrates the following: (a) unique effects of food marketing on adolescents; (b) extensive exposure to social media and other digital marketing “disguised” as entertainment and messages from peers; (c) adolescents’ still-developing and hypersensitive reward responsivity to appetitive cues; and (d) disproportionate appeals to Black and Hispanic youth, likely exacerbating health disparities affecting their communities. Adolescents may be even more vulnerable to junk food marketing appeals than younger children. Additional research on how food marketing uniquely affects adolescents and efficacy of potential solutions to protect them from harm are critical to support stronger restrictions on junk food marketing to all children.

Early Childhood Junk Food Consumption, Severe Dental Caries, and Undernutrition: A Mixed-Methods Study from Mumbai, India.

In India, globalization has caused a nutrition transition from home-cooked foods to processed sugary snacks and drinks, contributing to increased early childhood caries (ECC). This mixed-methods study describes risk factors for ECC and associations with undernutrition in low-income communities in Mumbai. Interviews with mothers of 959 children, ages six-months through six-years, addressed maternal-child nutrition and oral health, and children received dental exams and anthropometric assessments. Focus groups with community health workers and mothers explored experiences and perceptions of oral health, nutrition, and ECC. Descriptive and logistic regression analyses of quantitative data, and content analysis of qualitative data were performed. Eighty percent of children lived 5 min from a junk-food store, over 50% consumed junk-food and sugary tea daily, 50% experienced ECC, 19% had severe deep tooth decay, 27% experienced mouth pain, and 56% experienced chronic and/or acute malnutrition. In children ages 3–6, each additional tooth with deep decay was associated with increased odds of undernutrition (Odds Ratio [OR] 1.10, Confidence Interval [CI] 1.02–1.21). Focus groups identified the junk-food environment, busy family life, and limited dental care as contributors to ECC. Policy interventions include limits on junk-food marketing and incorporating oral health services and counseling on junk-food/sugary drinks into maternal–child health programs.

Potential influences of obstructive sleep apnea and obesity on COVID-19 severity.

Citation:McSharry D, Malhotra A. Potential influences of obstructive sleep apnea and obesity on COVID-19 severity. J Clin Sleep Med. 2020;16(9):1645.

COVID-19, Obesity, and Undernutrition: A Major Challenge for Latin American Countries.

In March of 2020, the World Health Organization declared the SARS‐Cov2 2019 (COVID‐19) outbreak a global pandemic after documenting community scale transmission in every region, including Latin America. The risk factors associated with severity of disease include older age, diabetes, hypertension, cardiovascular and lung diseases, and immune suppression. Additional evidence strongly suggests that obesity is also a risk factor for severe forms of COVID‐19 disease, while other types of malnutrition increase the risk of hospitalization from influenza‐like diseases, regardless of the causative agent of the illness (1). Although detailed data are not yet available on the impact of under nutrition in the evolution of COVID‐19, given the known inflammatory response caused by this condition, it is reasonable to expect a suboptimal immune response and higher risk of severity, as found with obesity (2).

Non-core food product advertising on free-to-air television in Hong Kong.

To study the extent and nature of free-to-air television advertisements for non-core products (e.g., fast food or soda) directed at children in Hong Kong. Television programs from two major Hong Kong free-to-air television channels airing between 06.00 and 24.00 hours from October 2018 to January 2019 were recorded. Eight nonconsecutive days (four weekdays and four weekend days) were selected for analysis. Pearson's χ2 tests were conducted to compare the pattern of food advertisements by program categories, days of the week, television viewing periods and persuasive marketing techniques. Free-to-air television programs. Not applicable. Of the 10 348 commercials identified, 18·4 % were for foods, and 35·2 % of these were for non-core items. Baby and toddler milk formula (19·5 %) were the most advertised food products, while the most frequently advertised non-core food was fast foods (12·3 %). There was a higher non-core to core product ratio during prime time than the children's time slot (7 v. 1·7). Non-sports celebrity endorsement (27·1 %) was the most frequently used persuasive marketing technique overall, while that for non-core products was sensory characteristics (38·2 %). Most food product placements recorded were non-core products, mentions of local and fast food restaurants and recipe additions. Non-core products were highly advertised in Hong Kong, while core product advertising was infrequent. Regulations on junk food advertising in Hong Kong should focus on prime time, as well as on food product placement, to reduce children's exposure to persuasive junk food marketing.

The political construction of public health nutrition problems: a framing analysis of parliamentary debates on junk-food marketing to children in Australia.

Junk-food marketing contributes significantly to childhood obesity, which in turn imposes major health and economic burdens. Despite this, political priority for addressing junk-food marketing has been weak in many countries. Competing interests, worldviews and beliefs of stakeholders involved with the issue contribute to this political inertia. An integral group of actors for driving policy change are parliamentarians, who champion policy and enact legislation. However, how parliamentarians interpret and portray (i.e. frame) the causes and solutions of public health nutrition problems is poorly understood. The present study aimed to understand how Australian parliamentarians from different political parties frame the problem of junk-food marketing. Framing analysis of transcripts from the Australian Government's Parliamentary Hansard, involving development of a theoretical framework, data collection, coding transcripts and thematic synthesis of results. Australia. None. Parliamentarian framing generally reflected political party ideology. Liberal parliamentarians called for minimal government regulation and greater personal responsibility, reflecting the party's core values of liberalism and neoliberalism. Greens parliamentarians framed the issue as systemic, highlighting the need for government intervention and reflecting the core party value of social justice. Labor parliamentarians used both frames at varying times. Parliamentarians' framing was generally consistent with their party ideology, though subject to changes over time. This project provides insights into the role of framing and ideology in shaping public health policy responses and may inform communication strategies for nutrition advocates. Advocates might consider using frames that resonate with the ideologies of different political parties and adapting these over time.

'It's got adverts… Always, always there' - Change over time in the impact of junk food marketing on children and young people's dietary behaviours

Searchable abstracts of presentations at key conferences in obesity ISSN 2632-9808 (online)

Community Insights to Inform the Policy Positioning of Junk Food Marketing Reform in NSW, Australia

Background and context: In the lead up to the next state election, Cancer Council New South Wales (CCNSW) will run the “Saving Life 2019” advocacy campaign focused on changing NSW Government policy in cancer control. In developing a policy agenda, three priority areas were identified that required further research to better understand public perceptions, inform messaging and engagement strategies. Reform of current junk food marketing on government owned assets (including public transport) was identified as one of these priorities to reduce childhood obesity. Aim: •Understand how key audiences view overweight and obesity as a public health issue and specifically junk food marketing to children •Find new opportunities to progress CCNSW policy objectives by identifying additional key audiences in the general population; •Build the evidence base for a salient and convincing messaging guide for the advocacy campaign strategy and CCNSW's broader policy engagement and influencing work. Strategy/Tactics: The campaign will seek to demonstrate community support for restricting junk food marketing on government owned assets in NSW to the community, the media and political candidates to achieve policy commitments. CCNSW existing campaign strategy includes tactics across grassroots mobilization, targeted political engagement and securing earned media. The development of strategic research to underpin this campaign, including development of an evidence-based communications strategy, was critical in optimizing communications and public engagement. Program/Policy process: CCNSW commissioned an independent external agency to conduct the research. The research used a mixed methodology that included two facilitated online focus groups of up to 20 people each, followed by polling of the general public. Focus groups were conducted over two days, with participants recruited from a wide geographical spread and constituted a mixture of general population and parents who are the main meal preparer in households. Outcomes: A research and communications report containing an overview of the research, key findings, as well as communications considerations based on the research was used to inform our overall campaign strategy, including policy messaging and communications planning. What was learned: Findings noted that unprompted, overweight and obesity is considered an important public health issue. The specific issue of childhood obesity is seen to be a personal family issue and the responsibility of parents. The provision of junk food by parents to children was seen as a driver of childhood obesity, but the role of junk food marketing and its regulation was not top-of-mind. When prompted, the idea of banning junk food advertising on public transport was an action that could be taken by government to tackle childhood obesity, with children perceived as being vulnerable and requiring protection.

Building a Weight of Evidence to Prevent Cancer in Later Life

Background: Obesity is the largest preventable risk factor for cancer in the UK after smoking. Being overweight as an adult is linked to 13 types of cancer, and overweight children are more likely to become overweight adults. Routine data shows that around one in three children leave primary school in the UK (aged 12) overweight or obese, with the children from the most deprived communities twice as likely to be so. Cancer Research UK is campaigning for restrictions on the marketing of foods high in salt sugar and fat (HFSS foods) to children as part of a comprehensive population level strategy to prevent obesity-related cancers in the future. Aim: To undertake a mixed methods program of research aimed at building a body of evidence to directly inform policy to address childhood obesity. Methods: Individual studies included: a national cross-sectional survey to investigate obesity and cancer awareness in the UK adult population; a modeling study to predict future obesity-related cancer cases; and qualitative and quantitative studies to explore obesity-linked behaviors and exposure to HFSS marketing in children. A narrative synthesis of results from individual studies was conducted to identify key themes and develop recommendations for policy. Results: Cancer was not at the forefront of people's minds when thinking about obesity, with only 26% of UK adults reporting (unprompted) awareness of the link. However, results from modeling identified that the projected impact of obesity on cancer is high: if current trends continue it will lead to a further 670,000 cases in the UK over the next 20 years. Qualitative research identified a high awareness of junk food marketing in children aged 8-19. This influenced their behavior using a variety of persuasive marketing techniques, including catchy slogans and jingles, celebrity endorsements or by referencing youth culture. Logistic regression modeling associated commercial TV screen time with an increased risk of high junk food consumption (OR 1.8, P = 0.002). Furthermore, recalling one extra broadcast advert predicted a significant increase in HFSS consumption, approximately 18,000 extra calories/person/year. Conclusion: These linked studies have informed Cancer Research UK's campaign on obesity, and results have been used to inform work with the media, coalition building and influencing. Findings that HFSS food marketing influenced children's consumption behaviors were published on the charity's lobbying day in parliament where the research was discussed with almost 170 members of parliament. To achieve further HFSS marketing restrictions, research evidence is essential to making the case for policy change and this approach from a large UK cancer charity could inform similar efforts in other countries.

Treating Obesity Seriously in Mexico: Realizing, Much Too Late, Action Must Be Immediate.

Mexico declared an epidemiological alert in 2016 after realizing, much too late, its critical situation, with more than 72% of its adult population with overweight or obesity and nearly 100,000 diabetes-related deaths each year (1). Despite these alarming statistics, preventing and controlling obesity and associated diseases remain to be taken seriously. It wasn't until 2010 that a national plan to overcome obesity was designed by the government. Progress was made in 2014 when an excise tax was placed on sugary beverages. Evaluations showed decreased consumption for two consecutive years and increased water consumption during the same period (2, 3), with models projecting positive impacts for future years (4). Notwithstanding, the food industry has prevented additional nutrition policies from being truly effective (5) through interference in front-of-pack labeling, marketing to children, and healthy school initiatives, among others. Furthermore, aggressive and unethical marketing practices have caused mothers to be unsure of breastfeeding their children, giving Mexico an exclusive breastfeeding rate of only 14%, one of the lowest rates in the world (6). Paradoxically, the national health budget has progressively received cuts since 2013, constituting 3.1% of the total budget in 2013 and only 2.3% in 2018, a decrease of US $5.1 billion (7). The funding allocated to the prevention and control of obesity and diabetes has been even more dismal, never reaching 1% of the health budget. This yearly reduced funding illustrates Mexico's unwillingness to critically tackle obesity and its accompanying comorbidities. Nonetheless, amid recent presidential elections, there is some hope that the health sector and civil society will collaborate to encourage and support government action and investment in cost-effective prevention policies, such as (1) front-of-pack warning labels for unhealthy food products and beverages, (2) efficient regulation of junk-food marketing directed at children, and (3) regulation and promotion to protect exclusive breastfeeding. Likewise, the current soda tax must be reinforced and raised to protect public health nutrition policy design and implementation from conflict of interest and industry interference. Along with preventive measures, the health care response to treat and manage obesity must be dramatically improved. Most medical professionals are not taught how to prescribe proper diet, physical activity, and lifestyle modifications necessary to prevent and control obesity, diabetes, and other noncommunicable diseases. Moreover, BMI screening, diagnosis, and treatment are not standard procedures in primary care settings; the norm for obesity treatment is outdated and does not consistently include evidence-based recommendations or drugs approved by the Ministry of Health, creating confusion among professionals. In fact, the National Academy of Medicine of Mexico calls for diverse indicators of obesity to be enforced as an obligatory part of the clinical record (8, 9). Even more unsettling, public primary care clinics in Mexico are not required by law to hire registered dietitians; if one is hired, it is in place of a nurse or social worker, which undermines holistic approaches to treatment. Furthermore, when awareness and early diagnosis campaigns are implemented, their budgets rarely include an evaluation component or monitoring system; only a few qualitative internal assessments have been released. Therefore, a systematic practice for evaluating and adapting obesity-related policies and programs is urgently needed. Although authorities are aware of the obesity burden in Mexico, a constructive response has been difficult to implement. Tackling obesity requires financial investment and immediate action from government, health professionals, and civil society to launch successful programs and campaigns that improve the norms of treatment and promote lifestyle changes. The way Mexico chooses to move forward will affect its ability to reach nine Sustainable Development Goals given their direct connection to poverty, education, and gender (10). These diseases dramatically influence a society's well-being as well as its ability to reach an equitable status and live sustainably. Given the challenge of treating obesity seriously in Mexico and its immediate implications, this experience should serve as a learning opportunity for countries with large populations that have not yet reached this stage in the epidemiological transition. These countries should react more quickly to avoid the economic and social burdens faced in Mexico and not wait until a third of their population has obesity to take action.

The impact of junk food marketing regulations on food sales: an ecological study.

To evaluate the impact of junk food broadcast marketing policies on nationwide junk food sales and identify policy characteristics effective in reducing sales. Country policy data (n=79) were categorized in a thorough literature review and analysed using a repeated measures design against data on food sales per capita. Study conducted in United States, 2017. Countries with junk food broadcast marketing policies saw a decrease in junk food sales per capita after implementation, while those without said policies saw an increase (p=0.013). Countries with statutory policies saw a decrease in sales per capita, while those with only self-regulation saw an increase (p=0.004). Audience restrictions (p=0.024) and standardized nutrition criteria (p=0.008) were policy characteristics significantly associated with a decrease in sales per capita. Utilizing a novel approach to evaluate junk food broadcast marketing policies, the study demonstrated that countries with statutory policies saw a significant decrease in junk food sales per capita not seen in countries with no or only self-regulatory policies. To effectively reduce exposure to child-targeted junk food marketing, governments should establish strong, comprehensive statutory regulations. Additionally, countries that implement junk food marketing policies can use food sales data to track policy effectiveness.

Will the sugar tax leave a bitter taste?

Will the sugar tax leave a bitter taste?

Media exposure and parental mediation on fast-food consumption among children in metropolitan and suburban Indonesia

Fast-food companies have been reproached for rising obesity levels due to aggressive marketing tactics targeted at children. They have countered that parents should be held responsible considering their critical role as nutritional gatekeepers. This study examined the comparative effects of media exposure and parental mediation on Indonesian children's fast food consumption and how the effects compare in the metropolitan versus suburban areas. The sample consisted of 394 child-mother pairs comprising grade three and four children and their mothers from two schools each in Jakarta and Bogor representing 40.9% metropolitan sample and 59.1% suburban sample, respectively. The children completed a guided inclass survey, while the mothers completed a paper-and-pen survey at home. Measures comprised children's weekly media exposure to broadcast media, computer and mobile games, print media, and online and social media, active and restrictive parental mediation strategies, children's fast food consumption and nutrition knowledge. The relationship of media exposure and parental mediation with children's fast food consumption was analyzed using Structural Equation Modelling. Fast food consumption was positively influenced by exposure to broadcast media among metropolitan children, and by exposure to online and social media among suburban children. Active parental mediation was related to lower fast food consumption, but only for suburban children. Active parental mediation is critical in preventing fast food consumption. The media play a key role in influencing fast food consumption, and hence, literacy education is important to alleviate the adverse effects of exposure to junk food marketing.

Distance to store, food prices, and obesity in urban food deserts.

Lack of access to healthy foods may explain why residents of low-income neighborhoods and African Americans in the U.S. have high rates of obesity. The findings on where people shop and how that may influence health are mixed. However, multiple policy initiatives are underway to increase access in communities that currently lack healthy options. Few studies have simultaneously measured obesity, distance, and prices of the store used for primary food shopping. To examine the relationship among distance to store, food prices, and obesity. The Pittsburgh Hill/Homewood Research on Eating, Shopping, and Health study conducted baseline interviews with 1,372 households between May and December 2011 in two low-income, majority African American neighborhoods without a supermarket. Audits of 16 stores where participants reported doing their major food shopping were conducted. Data were analyzed between February 2012 and February 2013. Distance to store and prices were positively associated with obesity (p<0.05). When distance to store and food prices were jointly modeled, only prices remained significant (p<0.01), with higher prices predicting a lower likelihood of obesity. Although low- and high-price stores did not differ in availability, they significantly differed in their display and marketing of junk foods relative to healthy foods. Placing supermarkets in food deserts to improve access may not be as important as simultaneously offering better prices for healthy foods relative to junk foods, actively marketing healthy foods, and enabling consumers to resist the influence of junk food marketing.

Examining Compliance with a Statewide Law Banning Junk Food and Beverage Marketing in Maine Schools

Examining Compliance with a Statewide Law Banning Junk Food and Beverage Marketing in Maine Schools

How online junk food marketing grabs children's attention

British Journal of School NursingVol. 7, No. 1 CommentHow online junk food marketing grabs children's attentionMubeen BhuttaMubeen BhuttaSearch for more papers by this authorMubeen BhuttaPublished Online:16 Aug 2013https://doi.org/10.12968/bjsn.2012.7.1.28AboutSectionsView articleView Full TextPDF/EPUB ToolsAdd to favoritesDownload CitationsTrack CitationsPermissions ShareShare onFacebookTwitterLinked InEmail View article References British Heart Foundation (2011) Report exposes how junk food manufacturers prey on children online. [Press release] December 2011 Google Scholar British Heart Foundation, Children's Food Campaign (2011) The 21st century gingerbread house—How companies are marketing junk food to children online. www.bhf.org.uk/publications/view-publication.aspx?ps=1001772 (accessed 2 February 2012) Google Scholar Ofcom (2011) Children and parents: Media use and attitudes report. http://stakeholders.ofcom.org.uk/binaries/research/media-literacy/oct2011/Children_and_parents.pdf Google Scholar The NHS Information Centre for Health and Social Care (2009) Health survey for England, 2008. Volume 1—Physical activity and fitness. www.ic.nhs.uk/pubs/hse08physicalactivity (accessed 1 February 2011) Google Scholar FiguresReferencesRelatedDetails 1 February 2012Volume 7Issue 1ISSN (print): 1752-2803ISSN (online): 2052-2827 Metrics History Published online 16 August 2013 Published in print 1 February 2012 Information© MA Healthcare LimitedPDF download