scholarly journals Comparing McDonald’s food marketing practices on official Instagram accounts across 15 countries

2021 ◽  
pp. e000229
Author(s):  
Omni Cassidy ◽  
Hye Won Shin ◽  
Edmund Song ◽  
Everett Jiang ◽  
Ravindra Harri ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cardiovascular Disease ◽  
Social Media ◽  
Fast Food ◽  
High Income ◽  
Price Promotions ◽  
Middle Income ◽  
Middle Income Countries ◽  
Food Company ◽  
The World ◽  
Social Media Advertising

BackgroundSocial media advertising by fast food companies continues to increase globally, and exposure to food advertising contributes to poor diet and negative health outcomes (eg, cardiovascular disease). McDonald’s—the largest fast food company in the world—operates in 101 countries, but little is known about their marketing techniques in various regions. The objective of this study was to compare the social media advertising practices of McDonald’s—the largest fast food company in the world—in 15 high-income, upper-middle-income and lower-middle-income countries.MethodsWe randomly selected official McDonald’s Instagram accounts for 15 high-income, upper-middle-income and lower-middle-income countries. We captured all the screenshots that McDonald’s posted on those Instagram accounts from September to December 2019. We quantified the number of followers, ‘likes’, ‘comments’ and video views associated with each account in April 2020. We used content analysis to examine differences in the marketing techniques.ResultsThe 15 accounts collectively maintained 10 million followers and generated 3.9 million ‘likes’, 164 816 comments and 38.2 million video views. We identified 849 posts. The three lower-middle-income countries had more posts (n=324; M, SD=108.0, 38.2 posts) than the five upper-middle-income countries (n=227; M, SD=45.4, 37.5 posts) and seven high-income countries (n=298; M, SD=42.6, 28.2 posts). Approximately 12% of the posts in high-income countries included child-targeted themes compared with 22% in lower-middle-income countries. Fourteen per cent of the posts in high-income countries included price promotions and free giveaways compared with 40% in lower-middle-income countries.ConclusionsSocial media advertising has enabled McDonald’s to reach millions of consumers in lower-middle-income and upper-middle-income countries with disproportionately greater child-targeted ads and price promotions in lower-middle-income countries. Such reach is concerning because of the increased risk of diet-related illnesses, including cardiovascular disease, in these regions.

scholarly journals Global competitiveness divide and the middle-income-trap

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Timothy Yaw Acheampong
Keyword(s):  
High Income ◽  
World Economic Forum ◽  
Middle Income ◽  
Income Levels ◽  
Global Competitiveness ◽  
Middle Income Countries ◽  
Income Status ◽  
The World ◽  
World Economic ◽  
Middle Income Trap

In recent times, the middle-income trap (MIT) has become a pertinent issue as economists, researchers and development practitioners continue seek answers to why the majority of middle-income countries find it difficult to advance to high-income status. There is still no consensus in literature as to the exact cause(s) and the solution to the MIT. The World Economic Forum posits that, the score of countries on the Global Competitive Index (GCI) 4.0 accounts for over 80% of the variation in income levels of countries. This suggests that the extent of global competitiveness of countries could potentially help them to escape the MIT. However, some competitiveness literature have identified an apparent competitiveness divide among countries. This paper therefore seeks to answer the following questions: how does middle-income countries differ from the high-income countries in terms of global competitiveness. The study utilises an independent samples t-test and effect size measures to examine the GCI 4.0 scores of 140 countries. The study finds a very large and significant competitiveness divide between the high and middle-income countries.

Physical inactivity and non-communicable disease burden in low-income, middle-income and high-income countries

2021 ◽  
pp. bjsports-2020-103640
Author(s):  
Peter T Katzmarzyk ◽  
Christine Friedenreich ◽  
Eric J Shiroma ◽  
I-Min Lee
Keyword(s):  
Cardiovascular Disease ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Physical Inactivity ◽  
Communicable Diseases ◽  
High Income ◽  
Asia Pacific ◽  
Global Burden ◽  
Middle Income ◽  
Non Communicable Diseases ◽  
Middle Income Countries

ObjectivesPhysical inactivity is a risk factor for premature mortality and several non-communicable diseases. The purpose of this study was to estimate the global burden associated with physical inactivity, and to examine differences by country income and region.MethodsPopulation-level, prevalence-based population attributable risks (PAR) were calculated for 168 countries to estimate how much disease could be averted if physical inactivity were eliminated. We calculated PARs (percentage of cases attributable to inactivity) for all-cause mortality, cardiovascular disease mortality and non-communicable diseases including coronary heart disease, stroke, hypertension, type 2 diabetes, dementia, depression and cancers of the bladder, breast, colon, endometrium, oesophagus, stomach and kidney.ResultsGlobally, 7.2% and 7.6% of all-cause and cardiovascular disease deaths, respectively, are attributable to physical inactivity. The proportions of non-communicable diseases attributable to physical inactivity range from 1.6% for hypertension to 8.1% for dementia. There was an increasing gradient across income groups; PARs were more than double in high-income compared with low-income countries. However, 69% of total deaths and 74% of cardiovascular disease deaths associated with physical inactivity are occurring in middle-income countries, given their population size. Regional differences were also observed, with the PARs occurring in Latin America/Caribbean and high-income Western and Asia-Pacific countries, and the lowest burden occurring in Oceania and East/Southeast Asia.ConclusionThe global burden associated with physical inactivity is substantial. The relative burden is greatest in high-income countries; however, the greatest number of people (absolute burden) affected by physical inactivity are living in middle-income countries given the size of their populations.

scholarly journals Disability and treatment of specific mental and physical disorders across the world

2008 ◽  
Vol 192 (5) ◽  
pp. 368-375 ◽  
Author(s):  
Johan Ormel ◽  
Maria Petukhova ◽  
Somnath Chatterji ◽  
Sergio Aguilar-Gaxiola ◽  
Jordi Alonso ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Mental Disorders ◽  
High Income ◽  
World Health ◽  
Role Functioning ◽  
Middle Income ◽  
Middle Income Countries ◽  
The World ◽  
Physical Disorders ◽  
Low And Middle Income

BackgroundAdvocates of expanded mental health treatment assert that mental disorders are as disabling as physical disorders, but little evidence supports this assertion.AimsTo establish the disability and treatment of specific mental and physical disorders in high-income and low- and middle-income countries.MethodCommunity epidemiological surveys were administered in 15 countries through the World Health Organization World Mental Health (WMH) Survey Initiative.ResultsRespondents in both high-income and low- and middle-income countries attributed higher disability to mental disorders than to the commonly occurring physical disorders included in the surveys. This pattern held for all disorders and also for treated disorders. Disaggregation showed that the higher disability of mental than physical disorders was limited to disability in social and personal role functioning, whereas disability in productive role functioning was generally comparable for mental and physical disorders.ConclusionsDespite often higher disability, mental disorders are under-treated compared with physical disorders in both high-income and in low- and middle-income countries.

scholarly journals Availability, Formulation, Labelling, and Price of Low-Sodium Salts Worldwide (Preprint)

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xuejun Yin ◽  
Hueiming Liu ◽  
Jacqui Webster ◽  
Kathy Trieu ◽  
Mark D. Huffman ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Blood Pressure ◽  
Sodium Chloride ◽  
Potassium Chloride ◽  
High Income ◽  
Potential Health ◽  
Middle Income ◽  
Sodium Salts ◽  
Middle Income Countries ◽  
Low Sodium ◽  
The World

BACKGROUND Regular salt is about 100% sodium chloride (NaCl). Low-sodium salts have reduced sodium chloride content, most commonly through substitution with potassium chloride (KCl). Low-sodium salts have a potential role in reducing population sodium intake level and blood pressure, but its availability in global market was unknown. OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to assess the availability, formulation, labelling, and price of low-sodium salts currently available to consumers around the world. METHODS Low-sodium salts were identified through a systematic literature review, Google search, online shopping sites search, and inquiry of key informants. The keywords of “salt substitute”, “low-sodium salt”, “potassium salt”, “mineral salt”, and “sodium reduced salt” in six official languages of the United Nations were used for search. Information about the brand, formula, labelling, and price was extracted and analysed. RESULTS Eighty-seven low-sodium salts were available in 47 out of 195 countries around the world (24%), including 28 high-income countries, 13 upper-middle-income countries, and six lower-middle-income countries. The proportion of sodium chloride varied from 0% (sodium-free) to 88% (as percent of weight, regular salt is 100% NaCl). Potassium chloride was the most frequent another component with levels ranging from 0% to 100% (potassium chloride salt). Forty-three (49%) had labels advising potential health risk, 33 (38%) labelling the advice of potential health benefits. The median price of low-sodium salts in high-income, upper-middle-income, lower-middle-income countries was USD 15.0/kg (IQR: 6.4 to 22.5), USD 2.7/kg (IQR: 1.7 to 5.5) and USD 2.9/kg (IQR: 0.50 to 22.2) respectively. The price of low-sodium salts was between 1.1 and 14.6 times that of regular salts. CONCLUSIONS Low-sodium salts are not widely available and are commonly more expensive than regular salts. Policies that promote the availability, affordability and labelling of low-sodium salts should enhance appropriate uptake for blood pressure lowering and cardiovascular prevention. CLINICALTRIAL N/A INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT RR2-10.1111/jch.14054

Injury Prevention Research and Global Child Health

2018 ◽  
pp. 339-358
Author(s):  
Nichole L. Hodges ◽  
Gary A. Smith
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Injury Prevention ◽  
High Income ◽  
Public Health Approach ◽  
Unintentional Injuries ◽  
Middle Income ◽  
Mortality And Morbidity ◽  
Middle Income Countries ◽  
The World ◽  
Low And Middle Income

Injuries are a leading cause of death and disability among children throughout the world. It is estimated that 735,500 children and teens younger than 20 years die from unintentional injuries annually. Although injuries are one of the most common causes of pediatric mortality globally, they do not affect all regions of the world equally. Low- and middle-income countries not only experience pediatric injuries at a much higher rate than high-income countries, but they also have greater total injury-related mortality and morbidity. An estimated 97% of all pediatric unintentional injury-related deaths occur in low-and middle-income countries. This chapter will describe the global public health burden and leading causes of unintentional injuries to children. We will also discuss the application of the public health approach and the principles of injury prevention to child injury. Best practices and case studies will be presented to highlight innovative research studies and evidence-based injury prevention strategies that have been implemented in low-, middle-, and high-income countries. The chapter closes with an overview of current research gaps and suggestions for advancing the field. This chapter will not discuss intentional injury specifically, which, in the editors’ assessment, deserves a detailed and comprehensive thesis— not achievable in a single chapter.

Abstract P271: Sedentary Behavior and Cardiovascular Disease Risk in a Middle-income Country: The Grenada Heart Project

Circulation ◽  
2012 ◽  
Vol 125 (suppl_10) ◽  
Author(s):  
Vaani Garg ◽  
Rajesh Vedanthan ◽  
Samantha Sartori ◽  
Mark Woodward ◽  
Sameer Bansilal ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Cardiovascular Disease ◽  
Sedentary Behavior ◽  
Middle Income Country ◽  
High Income ◽  
Income Country ◽  
Cvd Risk ◽  
Middle Income ◽  
Middle Income Countries ◽  
Low And Middle Income

Introduction: Sedentary behavior (SB) has been associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) in high-income countries. However, the burden and impact of SB in low- and middle-income countries is not well known. This study examined self-reported sedentary behavior and the association with CVD risk in Grenada, a middle-income country. Methods: A modified WHO STEPS survey was administered to a random sample of the Grenadian adult population, and sedentary behavior was assessed. Participants were asked to quantify the amount of time per day spent sitting (at home or work), reclining (excluding during sleep), or traveling in a vehicle. SB was assessed in hourly intervals and also grouped into two categories: 3 hours or less (approximately two thirds of the sample) and greater than 3 hours (approximately one third). Frequency of SB was compared across gender (age-standardized), age, and education groups. The relationship between SB and log-transformed 10-year CVD risk (Framingham) was evaluated using multivariable linear regression. Statistical analyses were performed using STATA v. 10. Results: Of 2622 participants, 32.4% reported greater than 3 hours per day of SB. SB was more common among men, among the youngest (age 18-29) and oldest (age 70+) individuals, and among those with higher education ( Table ). In univariate analysis, SB was adversely associated with 10-year CVD risk (p<0.05). However, after controlling for gender, age and education, SB was not significantly associated with 10-year CVD risk. Conclusions: Sedentary behavior in Grenada is more common among men, extremes of age, and higher education levels. Increased SB is not independently associated with 10-year CVD risk when controlling for gender, age and education. This is in contrast to findings in high-income countries. These results call for further exploration of the patterns of sedentary behavior, an emerging health issue in low- and middle-income countries, and its effect on CVD risk. Table Frequency of reported sedentary behavior (figures are %; all p-values within groups<0.05) N Greater than 3 hours per day Gender Men 1129 35.2 * Women 1493 30.3 * Age (years ) ≤18-29 634 39.1 30-39 428 30.6 40-49 580 23.6 50-59 448 28.1 60-69 249 28.1 ≥70 283 48.4 Education No schooling to Primary 1532 29.0 Secondary School 639 34.7 Post Graduate 419 39.9 * Age-standardized rates

scholarly journals Measurement of the real urbanization level in China and its international comparison

2019 ◽  
Vol 2 (2) ◽  
pp. 287-317
Author(s):  
Jiming Cai ◽  
Du Guonan ◽  
Liu Yuan
Keyword(s):  
Rapid Development ◽  
High Income ◽  
Middle Income ◽  
Urbanization Level ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Real ◽  
Middle Income Countries ◽  
The World ◽  
Per Capita ◽  
Urbanization Rate

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to estimate the real urbanization level in China so as to provide a measurement that can be compared with the international level. Design/methodology/approach Taking into consideration 300m residents living in the administrative towns (300m residents here are referred to the population in administrative towns, including those in all counties), the gap between the urbanization rate of China and that of the world average becomes much wider. Findings China, however, implements the administrative system of government at the central, provincial, municipal, county and township levels. By city, it means the jurisdiction at and above the level of county, which includes the municipality directly under the central government, prefecture-level municipal and county. By town, it means the jurisdiction below the level of county (including the Chengguan Town, or capital town, where the county government is located) and exclusive of rural townships. Originality/value China has witnessed rapid development for 40 years since the reform and opening up in 1978. Nowadays, China has already stepped into the period of post-industrialization, with its urbanization rate (UR) of permanent population reaching 58.58 percent. However, on the basis of registered population, the UR is 43.37 percent, which is not only far below the average level of 81.3 percent in high-income countries, but also lower than the average of 65.8 percent in upper middle-income countries which are comparable to China in terms of per capita income. (The classification of state income level is based on the data of national income per capita and division standards in 2016 from the World Bank, in which annual revenue per capita in high-income countries reaches over US$12,736 and that in upper middle-income countries between US$4,126 and US$12,735.)

scholarly journals Food insecurity (hunger) and fast-food consumption among 180,164 adolescents aged 12-15 years from 68 countries

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-23
Author(s):  
Lee Smith ◽  
Yvonne Barnett ◽  
Guillermo F. López-Sánchez ◽  
Jae Il Shin ◽  
Louis Jacob ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Food Insecurity ◽  
Food Consumption ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Fast Food ◽  
High Income ◽  
Low Income Countries ◽  
Middle Income ◽  
Middle Income Countries ◽  
School Based ◽  
Fast Food Consumption

ABSTRACT Food insecurity has been shown to be associated with fast-food consumption. However, to date, studies on this specific topic are scarce. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to investigate the association between food insecurity and fast-food consumption in adolescents aged 12-15 years from 68 countries (7 low-income, 27 lower middle-income, 20 upper middle-income, 14 high-income countries). Cross-sectional, school-based data from the Global School-based Student Health Survey were analyzed. Data on past 30-day food insecurity (hunger) and fast-food consumption in the past 7 days were collected. Multivariable logistic regression and meta-analysis were conducted to assess associations. Models were adjusted for age, sex, and body mass index. There were 180,164 adolescents aged 12-15 years [mean (SD) age 13.8 (1.0) years; 50.8% boys] included in the analysis. Overall, severe food insecurity (i.e., hungry because there was not enough food in home most of the time or always) was associated with 1.17 (95%CI=1.08-1.26) times higher odds for fast-food consumption. The estimates pooled by country-income levels were significant in low-income countries (adjusted odds ratio [aOR]=1.30; 95%CI=1.05-1.60), lower middle-income countries (aOR=1.15; 95%CI=1.02-1.29), and upper middle-income countries (aOR=1.26; 95%CI=1.07-1.49), but not in high-income countries (aOR=1.04; 95%CI=0.88-1.23). The mere co-occurrence of food insecurity and fast-food consumption is of public health importance. To tackle this issue, a strong governmental and societal approach is required to utilize effective methods as demonstrated in some high-income countries such as the implementation of food banks and the adoption of free school meals.

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