Systematic reviews of the evidence on the nature, extent and effects of food marketing to children. A retrospective summary

Abstract

A 2009 systematic review of the international evidence on food and beverage marketing to children is the most recent internationally comprehensive review of the evidence base. Its findings are consistent with other independent, rigorous reviews conducted during the period 2003-2012. Food promotions have a direct effect on children's nutrition knowledge, preferences, purchase behaviour, consumption patterns and diet-related health. Current marketing practice predominantly promotes low nutrition foods and beverages. Rebalancing the food marketing landscape' is a recurring policy aim of interventions aimed at constraining food and beverage promotions to children. The collective review evidence on marketing practice indicates little progress towards policy aims has been achieved during the period 2003-2012. There is a gap in the evidence base on how substantive policy implementation can be achieved. We recommend a priority for future policy relevant research is a greater emphasis on translational research. A global framework for co-ordinated intervention to constrain unhealthy food marketing which has received high level support provides valuable insight on some aspects of immediate implementation research priorities

Reducing the volume, exposure and negative impacts of advertising for foods high in fat, sugar and salt to children: A systematic review of the evidence from statutory and self-regulatory actions and educational measures

“…High levels of dental caries and increases in weight have sharpened the focus at the national and supranational levels on the relationship between advertising and negative health outcomes. Extensive literature reviews have found an association between exposure to advertising for foods HFSS and poor diet and obesity (Cairns et al, 2013;Hastings et al, 2003;McGinnis et al, 2006). The authors concluded that the effects of advertising exposure on diet are not due to chance.…”

Pester power and its consequences: do European children’s food purchasing requests relate to diet and weight outcomes?

“…Additional mechanisms for marketing to children extend to the school environment as well as Internet and social media realms (10,11) . Advertising to children is worrisome due to the strong body of evidence demonstrating that marketing exposure has a negative impact on diet and weight (1,12) . In fact, in 2010, the WHO released a set of recommendations to restrict marketing of foods high in saturated fat, trans-fat, added sugar or salt to children (13) .…”

Children’s Food and Beverage Promotion on Television to Parents

“…1,5,19,20,26,27 Strong evidence supports that exposure to childdirected food advertising influences a child's food requests, 7 and childdirected television advertisements are often crafted to increase children's pestering for advertised products. 1 However, parents may perceive children's foods as low in nutrition and high in sugar based on characteristics of child-directed advertisements 11 and product packaging, 28 such as bright colors, animation, and licensed characters.…”