The Obesity Epidemic And Junk Food Advertising: Political Barriers To Legislative Regulation And Lessons In Obesity Policy

Unhealthy foods and drinks are among the top products advertised to young children. Considering the growing childhood obesity epidemic and the soaring number of children accessing the Internet, even online junk food advertising has come under increasing scrutiny. Many countries are in the process of expanding and revising existing regulation to account for the realities of the digital age and to respond to health and other social concerns. This paper focuses on two European countries in particular to examine and compare these processes through the lens of junk food advergames aimed at children. Our questions are: 1) Given the differences in the media landscapes of the UK and Hungary, what types of junk food advergames target children?; and 2) In light of the growing childhood obesity problem faced by both nations, how have government bodies, advocacy groups, and advertisers approached junk food advertising targeting children in general and online advertising including advergames in particular? The United Kingdom represents a country with the highest Internet usage by children and the most developed online advertising market in Europe, while Hungary, a post-communist country, represents an emerging media market where young people have less access to the Internet and buying power but constitute a crucial “entry point” for food advertisers.

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Prevalence and Correlates of US Adult Public Opinion on Restricting Junk Food Advertising to Children on Social Media: 2020 Health Information National Trends Survey

Public Health Nutrition ◽

10.1017/s1368980021003359 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 1-13

Author(s):

Ariella R. Korn ◽

Kelly D. Blake ◽

Heather D’Angelo ◽

Jill Reedy ◽

April Oh

Keyword(s):

Social Media ◽

Health Information ◽

Normal Weight ◽

Food Advertising ◽

Junk Food ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Health Related ◽

Advertising To Children ◽

National Trends ◽

Advertising Restrictions

Abstract Objective: To describe US adults’ levels of support, neutrality, and opposition to restricting junk food advertising to children on social media and explore associations with sociodemographic and health-related characteristics. Design: In 2020-2021, we used cross-sectional data from the National Cancer Institute’s 2020 Health Information National Trends Survey to estimate the prevalence of opinions toward advertising restrictions, and correlates of neutrality and opposition using weighted multivariable logistic regression. Setting: United States. Participants: Adults aged 18+ years. Results: Among the analytic sample (n=2852), 54% of adults were neutral or opposed to junk food advertising restrictions on social media. The odds of being neutral or opposed were higher among Non-Hispanic Black adults (vs non-Hispanic White; OR: 2.03 (95% CI: 1.26, 3.26)); those completing some college (OR: 1.68 (95% CI: 1.20, 2.34)) or high school or less (OR: 2.62 (95% CI: 1.74, 3.96)) (vs those with a college degree); those who were overweight (vs normal weight; OR: 1.42 (95% CI: 1.05, 1.93)); and those reporting a moderate (OR: 1.45 (95% CI: 1.13, 1.88)) or conservative (OR: 1.71 (95% CI: 1.24, 2.35)) political viewpoint (vs liberal). Having strong (vs weaker) weight and diet-related cancer beliefs was associated with 53% lower odds of being neutral or opposed to advertising restrictions (OR: 0.47 (95% CI: 0.36, 0.61)). Conclusions: This study identified subgroups of US adults for whom targeted communication strategies may increase support for policies to improve children’s food environment.

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Children’s understanding of the selling versus persuasive intent of junk food advertising: Implications for regulation

Social Science & Medicine ◽

10.1016/j.socscimed.2011.01.018 ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 72 (6) ◽

pp. 962-968 ◽

Cited By ~ 61

Author(s):

Owen B.J. Carter ◽

Lisa J. Patterson ◽

Robert J. Donovan ◽

Michael T. Ewing ◽

Clare M. Roberts

Keyword(s):

Food Advertising ◽

Junk Food

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Junk food advertising moderates the indirect effect of reward sensitivity and food consumption via the urge to eat

Physiology & Behavior ◽

10.1016/j.physbeh.2018.02.030 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 188 ◽

pp. 276-282 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Chloe Kidd ◽

Natalie J. Loxton

Keyword(s):

Food Consumption ◽

Indirect Effect ◽

Reward Sensitivity ◽

Food Advertising ◽

Junk Food

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Impact of gambling advertisements and marketing on children and adolescents: Policy recommendations to minimise harm

Journal of Gambling Issues ◽

10.4309/jgi.2008.22.7 ◽

2008 ◽

pp. 252 ◽

Cited By ~ 66

Author(s):

Sally Monaghan ◽

Jeffrey Derevensky ◽

Alyssa Sklar

Keyword(s):

Food Advertising ◽

Policy Recommendations ◽

Junk Food ◽

Youth Gambling ◽

Wireless Technology ◽

Multiple Forms ◽

Celebrity Endorsements ◽

Point Of Sale ◽

Health Domains ◽

The Media

With the proliferation and acceptance of gambling in society, gambling advertisements have become increasingly prominent. Despite attempts to protect minors from harm by prohibiting them from engaging in most forms of gambling, there are few restrictions on the marketing of gambling products. Evidence of high rates of gambling and associated problems amongst youth indicates that the issue of youth gambling must be addressed to minimise harm. This paper aims to examine the current marketing techniques used to promote gambling and how they affect youth. The effect of multiple forms of advertisements will be discussed, including advertising placement in the media, point-of-sale displays, sports sponsorship, promotional products, celebrity endorsements, advertisements using Internet and wireless technology, and content which may appeal to or mislead children. Based on research in gambling and other public health domains, including tobacco, alcohol, and junk food advertising, recommendations are made for appropriate regulations for gambling advertisements to minimise the potential harms.

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