Assessing ‘fun foods’: nutritional content and analysis of supermarket foods targeted at children

Objective: We tested whether the presence of both child-targeted and nutritionfocused (i.e. parent-targeted) marketing cues on food packaging was associated with the nutritional content of these products. Design: We conducted a quantitative content analysis of 403 food packages chosen randomly from the supermarket's online portal along with all products (n 312) from the cereal aisle in a supermarket from the Southeastern USA. We examined main and interaction effects for cues on nutritional content (e.g. energy density, sugar, sodium, fibre). Setting: A regional supermarket chain in the Southeastern USA. Results: Tests of main effects indicated that increased presence of nutritional cues was linked to more nutritious content (e.g. less sugar, less saturated fat, more fibre) while the increased presence of child-targeted cues was uniformly associated with less nutritious content (e.g. more sugar, less protein, less fibre). Among the interaction effects, results revealed that products with increased nutrition-focused and child-targeted cues were likely to contain significantly more sugar and less protein than other products. Conclusions: Products that seek to engage children with their packaging in the supermarket are significantly less nutritious than foods that do not, while product packages that suggest nutritional benefits have more nutritious content. More importantly, the study provides evidence that those products which try to engage both child and parent consumers are significantly less healthy in crucial ways (e.g. more sugar, less fibre) than products that do not.

Section: Coding Proceduresmentioning

confidence: 99%

Child-directed and nutrition-focused marketing cues on food packaging: links to nutritional content

Lapierre

Brown

Houtzer

et al. 2016

“…Nevertheless, there are few studies that have analysed the Na content of processed foods consumed by children and adolescents (1,3,(7)(8)(9) , despite the high processed food consumption among this population, which leads to high Na intake. We also observed a lack of studies in the literature about Na levels in Brazilian processed foods (21)(22)(23) , especially those targeted at children and adolescents (24,25) .…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Sodium content on processed foods for snacks

Kraemer

Oliveira

Gonzalez-Chica

et al. 2015

Objective: To assess the Na content reported on the labels of processed foods sold in Brazil that are usually consumed as snacks by children and adolescents. Design: Cross-sectional study that assessed Na content and serving size reporting on processed food labels. Setting: A supermarket that is part of a large chain in Brazil. Subjects: All foods available for sale at the study's location and reported in the literature as snacks present in the diets of Brazilian children and adolescents. Results: Of the 2945 processed foods, 87 % complied with the reference serving sizes, although variability in reporting was observed in most of the food subgroups. In addition, 21 % of the processed foods had high Na levels (>600 mg/ 100 g) and 35 % had medium Na levels (>120 and ≤600 mg/100 g). The meats, oils, fats and seeds groups as well as the prepared dishes had higher percentages of foods classified as high Na (81 %, 58 % and 53 %, respectively). Conclusions: Most of the processed foods had high or medium Na content. We emphasize the importance of revising Brazilian nutrition labelling legislation to standardize reference serving sizes to avoid variation. Besides, we point out the potential for reducing Na levels in most processed foods, as evidenced by the variability in Na content within subgroups. Finally, we have identified the need to develop a method to classify Na levels in processed foods with specific parameters for children and adolescents.

“…Furthermore, a study that examined the content of pre-packaged children's food in Canada found that 62 % of products that were deemed to be of poor nutritional quality had a front-of-package nutritional claim (4) . As observed in the current study, that study also showed that front-ofpackage nutrition claims would highlight a single area of good nutrition such as 'source of calcium' and not mention that the same product was also high in sugar (4) . By highlighting a single positive nutrition claim, manufacturers have developed a powerful marketing strategy that aims to alter parental consumer behaviour by providing limited information about how their products fit into a healthy diet.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…A previous study examining the nutritional content of baby/toddler foods available in the Canadian marketplace found that some products targeted at babies and toddlers actually contained more sugar and salt per serving than similar products targeted for adult consumption (3) . Another Canadian study found that 89 % of packaged products targeted at children were of poor nutritional quality (4) . This is even more surprising given that the study had excluded 'junk' foods such as candy, soft drinks, potato chips and cakes (4) .…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Another Canadian study found that 89 % of packaged products targeted at children were of poor nutritional quality (4) . This is even more surprising given that the study had excluded 'junk' foods such as candy, soft drinks, potato chips and cakes (4) . Nutritional information panels are required on packaged foods in the USA to help consumers make healthier choices (5) ; however, single nutrient claims that are not reflective of the overall nutrient profile are permitted (2) .…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

See 1 more Smart Citation

Differences in the nutritional content of baby and toddler foods with front-of-package nutrition claims issued by manufacturers v. governments/health organizations

Metcalfe

Elliott

2014

Objective: Nutritional information panels are required on all packaged food products in the USA, yet are perceived as difficult to use by consumers. Nutritional symbols have been developed by various groups to assist consumers in making healthier food purchases. Different nutritional criteria are used depending on the authorizing body of these symbols. The present study assesses the nutrient profile of baby and toddler foods in light of their accompanying nutritional symbols. Design: Kruskal-Wallis and x 2 tests were used to assess differences in the nutritional content of products based on the presence and issuing body of nutritional symbols. Setting: Nine grocery, drug and department stores in Philadelphia, PA, USA. Subjects: Two hundred and forty packaged baby and toddler foods. Results: Products whose nutritional symbol was issued by government/health professionals contained significantly more Ca (P 5 0?002), fibre (P 5 0?001), protein (P 5 0?005), vitamin A (P 5 0?011), vitamin C (P , 0?001) and Zn (P , 0?001) and less sugar (P 5 0?004) per serving than products without a nutritional symbol and products whose nutritional symbol was issued by the manufacturer. Conclusions: Products with a nutritional symbol issued by government/health professionals were healthier than foods with nutritional symbols issued by the manufacturer directly and foods with no nutritional symbols.