Television food advertising to children: the extent and nature of exposure

Kelly, Bridget; Smith, Benjamin John; King, Lesley; Flood, Victoria M; Bauman, Adrian

doi:10.1017/s1368980007687126

Cited by 127 publications

(129 citation statements)

References 18 publications

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“…10 It appears that children may learn to associate TV viewing with snacking at an early age, probably reinforced by the high percentage of food advertising during peak viewing times for children. About a third to a half of TV advertisements during programs scheduled for children are for food, 33,34 with the vast majority (79-98% from studies in the United Kingdom, Australia and the United States 35,36 ) being advertisements for energy-dense foods or beverages.…”

Section: Mediators Of the Relationship Between Tv Viewing And Obesitymentioning

confidence: 99%

Effects of TV time and other sedentary pursuits

2008

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Television (TV) viewing is the dominant recreational pastime at all ages, especially for children and adolescents. Many studies have shown that higher TV viewing hours are associated with higher body mass index (BMI), lower levels of fitness and higher blood cholesterol levels. Although the effect size estimated from observational studies is small (with TV viewing explaining very little of the variance in BMI), the results of intervention studies show large effect sizes. The potential mediators of the effect of higher TV viewing on higher BMI include less time for physical activity, reduced resting metabolic rate (for which there is little supporting evidence) and increased energy intake (from more eating while watching TV and a greater exposure to marketing of energy dense foods). Electronic games may have an effect on unhealthy weight gain, but are less related to increased energy intake and their usage is relatively new, making effect size difficult to determine. Thus, TV viewing does not explain much of the differences in body size between individuals or the rise in obesity over time, perhaps because of the uniformly high, but relatively stable, TV viewing hours. Reducing TV viewing hours is a difficult prospect because potential actions, such as social marketing and education, are likely to be relatively weak interventions, although the evidence would suggest that, if viewing could be reduced, it could have a significant impact on reducing obesity prevalence. Regulations to reduce the heavy marketing of energy dense foods and beverages on TV may be the most effective public health measure available to minimize the impact of TV viewing on unhealthy weight gain.

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Section: Mediators Of the Relationship Between Tv Viewing And Obesitymentioning

confidence: 99%

Effects of TV time and other sedentary pursuits

2008

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“…The disparity between food advertising expenditure for different food groups is extreme [13]: government campaigns promoting fruit and vegetables are dwarfed by the billions of dollars spent on fast food and 'junk' food marketing each year [16,17]. The majority of these advertised foods and drinks are high in added fat, sugar and salt, are contrary to dietary recommendations and, if eaten in excess, can contribute to overweight and the risk of developing CVD [18][19][20][21].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Impact of Marketing and Advertising on Food Behaviours: Evaluating the Evidence for a Causal Relationship

et al. 2016

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The prevention of overweight in childhood is paramount to long term heart-health. Food marketing predominately promotes unhealthy products which if over-consumed will lead to overweight. International health expert calls for further restriction of children's exposure to food marketing remain relatively unheeded, with a lack of evidence showing a causal link between food marketing and children's dietary behaviours and obesity an oft cited reason for this policy inertia. This direct link is difficult to measure and quantify with a multiplicity of determinants contributing to dietary intake and the development of overweight. The Bradford Hill Criteria provide a credible framework by which epidemiological studies may be examined to consider whether a causal interpretation of an observed association is valid. This paper draws upon current evidence that examines the relationship between food marketing, across a range of different media, and children's food behaviours, and appraises these studies against Bradford Hill's causality framework. IntroductionCardiovascular disease (CVD) is largely preventable, yet, globally, it contributes to the greatest burden of premature mortality [1]. Modifiable, diet-related CVD risk factors include overweight and obesity and high consumption of saturated and trans fatty acids, refined carbohydrates and sodium [2,3]. Establishing healthy dietary behaviours and maintaining a healthy weight in childhood is paramount for maximising heart-health [4], however within our current food environment, this has never been more challenging.

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“…Additionally, despite the industry's awareness of the negative influence of advertising on the formation of healthier food habits, 6 most foods advertised are rather unhealthy; that is, high in sugar, fat and/or salt. 7 There is also empirical evidence that exposure to food advertisements on TV leads to unhealthier food choices 8 and that overweight and obese children have higher recall rates and intake of the food products advertised than children of normal weight. 9 The concrete mechanisms underlying these findings, however, remain largely unknown.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Instruments for analysing the influence of advertising on children's food choices

Gwozdz

Reisch

2011

Int J Obes

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Objective: The aim of this report was to present methodological aspects of assessing the effects of advertising on children's food choices and preferences. Methods: Two instruments have been used: first, a choice experiment on children's food knowledge and preferences, and second, a questionnaire on children's knowledge about and attitudes towards advertising. The choice experiment employed 10 matched pairs of food items, each represented in two magazines, one that tested knowledge and the other food preferences. The children's questionnaire contained four dimensions that tested children's credibility and suspiciousness of, as well as entertainment by, advertising. Although based on already developed tools, both instruments were modified to suit the young target group and ensure cross-cultural comparability. The questionnaire was validated via Cronbach's alpha and factor analysis. Subjects: A total of 393 children aged 5-11 years from seven European countries participated in the study. Results: Both instruments proved to be valid and reliable to analyse the food knowledge and preferences of children, as well as knowledge about and attitudes towards advertising. While 92.2% of the children predominantly recognised the healthier food, only 33.2% also preferred the healthier food. The Cronbach's alpha values for the dimensions were 0.470 for credibility, 0.409 for suspiciousness and 0.295 for entertainment factor. The gathered data revealed that children are rather critical and suspicious of advertising and only moderately entertained. Conclusion: Both instruments are applicable for the 5-to 11-year-old age group in different European countries. Descriptive results indicate additional insights into the effects of advertising on children's food knowledge, preferences and food choice.

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Television food advertising to children: the extent and nature of exposure

Abstract: Objective: To describe the pattern and prevalence of food and drink

Cited by 127 publications

References 18 publications

Effects of TV time and other sedentary pursuits

Effects of TV time and other sedentary pursuits

The Impact of Marketing and Advertising on Food Behaviours: Evaluating the Evidence for a Causal Relationship

Instruments for analysing the influence of advertising on children's food choices

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