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Boyland E, Spanakis P, O'Reilly C, Christiansen P. Associations between everyday exposure to food marketing and hunger and food craving in adults: An ecological momentary assessment study. Appetite 2024; 196:107241. [PMID: 38307297 DOI: 10.1016/j.appet.2024.107241] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2023] [Revised: 01/29/2024] [Accepted: 01/30/2024] [Indexed: 02/04/2024]
Abstract
Food marketing in television and digital media negatively affects appetitive sensations and eating behaviour in children, but effects are less well understood for outdoor food advertising and adults. This research used Ecological Momentary Assessment (EMA) to explore associations between exposures to food advertising in various contexts (television, digital, outdoors) and adults' hunger and craving for highly advertised food categories. Over one week, participants provided ratings of cravings for types of food (fast food, soft drinks, snacks/confectionery, other) and hunger on a smartphone app up to six times per day when they saw a food advertisement (reactive assessment) and at random intervals (random assessment). Fifty-four participants (70.4 % female; 21.24 ± 3.84 years) provided 1223 assessments (24.7 % reactive, 75.3 % random). Data were analysed in R using multilevel multivariable linear regression models. Participants reported feeling hungrier (X2(1) = 5.85, p = .016, ΔAIC = 3.9) and having stronger cravings (X2(1) = 20.64, p < .001, ΔAIC = 318.6) after seeing food advertisements vs. random assessments. This was driven by greater hunger following television advertising exposure vs. random assessments (β = 1.58, SE = 0.61, p = .010, 95 %CIs 0.38 to 2.78), food advertising via digital devices or outdoors was not associated with hunger. Participants experienced stronger craving after seeing a food advertisement on television (β = 0.52, SE = 0.19, p = .006, 95 %CIs 0.15 to 0.89), outdoors (β = 0.39, SE = 0.12, p < .001, 95 % CIs 0.16 to 0.62) and in digital media (β = 0.36, SE = 0.14, p = .012, 95 % CIs 0.08 to 0.64), vs. random assessments. Cravings were (largely) specific to the advertised food category. EMA can be effective for assessing food marketing associations in adults. The current study provides evidence that food marketing is associated with hunger and craving in adults, which may, with replication, have implications for public health policy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emma Boyland
- Department of Psychology, University of Liverpool, Eleanor Rathbone Building, Bedford Street South, Liverpool, L69 7ZA, UK.
| | - Panagiotis Spanakis
- Department of Psychology, University of Liverpool, Eleanor Rathbone Building, Bedford Street South, Liverpool, L69 7ZA, UK.
| | - Connor O'Reilly
- Department of Psychology, University of Liverpool, Eleanor Rathbone Building, Bedford Street South, Liverpool, L69 7ZA, UK.
| | - Paul Christiansen
- Department of Psychology, University of Liverpool, Eleanor Rathbone Building, Bedford Street South, Liverpool, L69 7ZA, UK.
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Royo-Bordonada MÁ, Cavero-Esponera C, Romero-Fernández MM, González-Díaz C, Ordaz Castillo E. Differences in children's exposure to television advertising of unhealthy foods and beverages in Spain by socio-economic level. BMC Public Health 2024; 24:739. [PMID: 38454414 PMCID: PMC10921598 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-023-17410-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2023] [Accepted: 12/05/2023] [Indexed: 03/09/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The influence of food advertising on food preferences and consumption could also contribute to the socio-economic inequalities among Spanish children in terms of eating habits and childhood obesity. Although the main food advertising channel targeted at children in Spain is television, available studies estimate exposure indirectly by combining content data with audience data. The aim of this study was therefore to describe the frequency of exposure to television advertising of unhealthy foods and drinks, measured directly, among Spanish children and adolescents, and analyse its socio-economic inequalities. METHODS Observational study of television advertising impacts in a sample of 1590 children aged 4 to 16 years drawn from a consumer panel representative of the Spanish population in this age group, over the course of a full week of broadcasting in February 2022. The sample was obtained through stratified random sampling by Autonomous Region, with quotas being set by reference to socio-demographic variables. Exposure was measured with an audiometer, and the nutrient content of the food and drink advertised was analysed using the nutrient profile of the WHO Regional Office for Europe. We used the Chi-squared test to analyse possible differences in advertising coverage by socio-economic level. RESULTS The participants saw a weekly mean of 82.4 food and drink commercials, 67.4 of which were for unhealthy products (81.8%), mostly outside the child-protection time slot. On average, low-social class participants received 94.4% more impacts from unhealthy food and drink advertising than did high-class participants (99.9 vs. 51.4 respectively). The mean advertising coverage of unhealthy foods and drinks was 71.6% higher in low-class than in high-class participants (10.9% vs. 18.7%; p = 0.01). CONCLUSION Spanish children and adolescents received an average of 10 impacts per day from television spots for unhealthy foods and drinks. The exposure of low-class children is double that of high-class children, a finding compatible with the high prevalence of childhood obesity in Spain and the related socio-economic inequalities. To protect Spanish minors from the harmful effects of food advertising and reduce the related social health inequalities would require the implementation of a 24:00 watershed for unhealthy food advertising on television.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miguel Ángel Royo-Bordonada
- National School of Public Health, Institute of Health Carlos III, Ministry of Science and Innovation, Madrid, 28029, Spain
| | - Cristina Cavero-Esponera
- Department of Preventive Medicine and Public Health, Hospital Central de la Cruz Roja San José y Santa Adela, Madrid, 28003, Spain.
- Doctoral Program in Biomedical Sciences and Public Health, International Doctorate Program, National University of Distance Education (UNED), Madrid, 28015, Spain.
| | - María Mar Romero-Fernández
- Puertollano Integrated Care Management. Health Service of Castilla-La Mancha, Unit of Teaching and Research, Santa Bárbara Hospital, Castilla-La Mancha, Spain
| | | | - Elena Ordaz Castillo
- National School of Public Health, Institute of Health Carlos III, Ministry of Science and Innovation, Madrid, 28029, Spain
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McKevitt S, White M, Petticrew M, Summerbell C, Vasiljevic M, Boyland E, Cummins S, Laverty AA, Millett C, de Vocht F, Junghans C, Vamos EP. Characterizing restrictions on commercial advertising and sponsorship of harmful commodities in local government policies: a nationwide study in England. J Public Health (Oxf) 2023; 45:878-887. [PMID: 37608490 PMCID: PMC10687598 DOI: 10.1093/pubmed/fdad155] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2023] [Revised: 07/05/2023] [Accepted: 07/25/2023] [Indexed: 08/24/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Commercial advertising and sponsorship drive the consumption of harmful commodities. Local authorities (LAs) have considerable powers to reduce such exposures. This study aimed to characterize local commercial policies across all English LAs. METHODS We conducted a census of all English LAs (n = 333) to identify local commercial policies concerning advertising and sponsorship of tobacco, alcohol, less healthy foods and gambling, through online searches and Freedom of Information requests. We explored policy presence, commodity frequency and type, and associations with LA characteristics (region, urban/rural and deprivation). RESULTS Only a third (106) of LAs in England had a relevant policy (32%). These included restrictions on tobacco (91%), gambling (79%), alcohol (74%) and/or less healthy foods (24%). Policy prevalence was lowest in the East of England (22%), North East (25%) and North West (27%), higher in urban areas (36%) than rural areas (28%) and lower in the least (27%) compared with the most (38%) deprived areas. Definitions in policies varied, particularly for alcohol and less healthy foods. CONCLUSIONS English LAs currently underutilize their levers to reduce the negative impacts of harmful commodity industry marketing, particularly concerning less healthy foods. Standardized guidance, including clarity on definitions and application, could inform local policy development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah McKevitt
- Public Health Policy Evaluation Unit, School of Public Health, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Martin White
- MRC Epidemiology Unit, School of Clinical Sciences, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Mark Petticrew
- Department of Public Health, Environments & Society, Faculty of Public Health and Policy, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Carolyn Summerbell
- Centre for Translational Research in Public Health, Fuse, Newcastle, UK
- Department of Sport and Exercise Sciences, Durham University, Durham, UK
| | - Milica Vasiljevic
- Centre for Translational Research in Public Health, Fuse, Newcastle, UK
- Department of Psychology, Durham University, Durham, UK
| | - Emma Boyland
- Department of Psychology, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
| | - Steven Cummins
- Population Health Innovation Lab, Department of Public Health, Environments & Society, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Anthony A Laverty
- Public Health Policy Evaluation Unit, School of Public Health, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Christopher Millett
- Public Health Policy Evaluation Unit, School of Public Health, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Frank de Vocht
- Population Health Sciences, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
- NIHR Applied Research Collaboration Northwest London (NIHR ARC), London, UK
| | - Cornelia Junghans
- NIHR Applied Research Collaboration Northwest London (NIHR ARC), London, UK
| | - Eszter P Vamos
- Public Health Policy Evaluation Unit, School of Public Health, Imperial College London, London, UK
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Scott LJ, Nobles J, Sillero-Rejon C, Brockman R, Toumpakari Z, Jago R, Cummins S, Blake S, Horwood J, de Vocht F. Advertisement of unhealthy commodities in Bristol and South Gloucestershire and rationale for a new advertisement policy. BMC Public Health 2023; 23:1078. [PMID: 37277744 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-023-15995-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2023] [Accepted: 05/26/2023] [Indexed: 06/07/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Bristol City Council introduced a new advertisement policy in 2021/2022 which included prohibiting the advertising of unhealthy food and drink (HFSS), alcohol, gambling and payday loans across council-owned advertising spaces. This mixed methods study is part of the BEAR study, and aimed to explore the rationale and the barriers and facilitators to implementing the policy, and describe the perceived advertising environment prior to implementation. METHODS Semi-structured interviews were carried out with seven stakeholders involved in the design and implementation of the advertising policy. A stakeholder topic guide was developed before interviews took place to help standardise the lines of inquiry between interviewees. A resident survey was developed to collect socio-demographic data and, for the purpose of this study, information regarding observations of advertising for HFSS products, alcohol and gambling. RESULTS Fifty-eight percent of respondents residing in Bristol and South Gloucestershire reported seeing advertisements for unhealthy commodities in the week prior to completing the survey. This was highest for HFSS products (40%). 16% of residents reported seeing HFSS product advertisements specifically appealing to children. For HFSS products in particular, younger people were more likely to report seeing adverts than older people, as were those who were from more deprived areas. An advertisement policy that restricts the advertisement of such unhealthy commodities, and in particular for HFSS products, has the potential to reduce health inequalities. This rationale directly influenced the development of the advertisement policy in Bristol. Implementation of the policy benefitted from an existing supportive environment following the 'health in all policies' initiative and a focus on reducing health inequalities across the city. CONCLUSIONS Unhealthy product advertisements, particularly for unhealthy food and drinks, were observed more by younger people and those living in more deprived areas. Policies that specifically restrict such advertisements, therefore, have the potential to reduce health inequalities, as was the hope when this policy was developed. Future evaluation of the policy will provide evidence of any public health impact.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lauren J Scott
- National Institute for Health Research Applied Research Collaboration West (NIHR ARC West), Bristol, UK
- Population Health Sciences, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Canynge Hall, 39 Whatley Road, Bristol, BS8 2PS, UK
- University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust, Bristol, UK
| | - James Nobles
- National Institute for Health Research Applied Research Collaboration West (NIHR ARC West), Bristol, UK
- Population Health Sciences, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Canynge Hall, 39 Whatley Road, Bristol, BS8 2PS, UK
- University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust, Bristol, UK
- Obesity Institute, School of Health, Leeds Beckett University, Leeds, UK
| | - Carlos Sillero-Rejon
- National Institute for Health Research Applied Research Collaboration West (NIHR ARC West), Bristol, UK
- Population Health Sciences, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Canynge Hall, 39 Whatley Road, Bristol, BS8 2PS, UK
- University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust, Bristol, UK
| | - Rowan Brockman
- National Institute for Health Research Applied Research Collaboration West (NIHR ARC West), Bristol, UK
- Population Health Sciences, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Canynge Hall, 39 Whatley Road, Bristol, BS8 2PS, UK
- University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust, Bristol, UK
| | - Zoi Toumpakari
- Centre for Exercise, Nutrition & Health Sciences, School for Policy Studies, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
| | - Russell Jago
- National Institute for Health Research Applied Research Collaboration West (NIHR ARC West), Bristol, UK
- Population Health Sciences, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Canynge Hall, 39 Whatley Road, Bristol, BS8 2PS, UK
- University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust, Bristol, UK
- Centre for Exercise, Nutrition & Health Sciences, School for Policy Studies, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
| | - Steven Cummins
- Department of Public Health, Environments & Society, Faculty of Public Health and Policy, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Sarah Blake
- National Institute for Health Research Applied Research Collaboration West (NIHR ARC West), Bristol, UK
| | - Jeremy Horwood
- National Institute for Health Research Applied Research Collaboration West (NIHR ARC West), Bristol, UK
- Population Health Sciences, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Canynge Hall, 39 Whatley Road, Bristol, BS8 2PS, UK
- University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust, Bristol, UK
| | - Frank de Vocht
- National Institute for Health Research Applied Research Collaboration West (NIHR ARC West), Bristol, UK.
- Population Health Sciences, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Canynge Hall, 39 Whatley Road, Bristol, BS8 2PS, UK.
- University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust, Bristol, UK.
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Scott LJ, Toumpakari Z, Nobles J, Sillero-Rejon C, Jago R, Cummins S, Blake S, Horwood J, Vocht FD. Assessing exposure to outdoor advertisement for products high in fat, salt and sugar (HFSS); is self-reported exposure a useful exposure metric? BMC Public Health 2023; 23:668. [PMID: 37041569 PMCID: PMC10088263 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-023-15567-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2023] [Accepted: 03/30/2023] [Indexed: 04/13/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Exposure to advertising of unhealthy commodities such as fast-food and gambling is recognised as a risk factor for developing non-communicable diseases. Assessment of the impact of such advertisement and the evaluation of the impact of any policies to restrict such advertisements on public health are reliant on the quality of the exposure assessment. A straightforward method for assessing exposure is to ask people whether they noticed any such advertisements in their neighbourhoods. However, the validity of this method is unclear. We assessed the associations between measured exposure to outdoor advertising, self-reported exposure, and self-reported consumption. METHODS We collected exposure information in January-March 2022 using two methods: (i) through a resident survey investigating advertising and consumption of unhealthy products, distributed across Bristol and neighbouring South Gloucestershire, and (ii) through in-person auditing. Self-reported exposure was obtained from the resident survey (N = 2,560) and measured exposure from photos obtained for all Council owned advertisement sites (N = 973 bus stops). Both data sources were geographically linked at lower-super-output-area level. Reporting ratios (RRs), 95% confidence intervals (CIs), and Cohen's kappas, are presented. RESULTS 24% of advertisements displayed food and/or drink advertising. Bristol respondents in neighbourhoods displaying food/drink adverts were more likely to also report seeing these adverts compared to those in neighbourhoods without food/drink adverts (59% vs. 51%, RR = 1.15, 95%CI 1.01-1.31). There was no such association in South Gloucestershire (26% vs. 32%, RR = 0.82, 95%CI 0.58-1.14). Respondents in both Bristol and South Gloucestershire who recalled seeing advertising for unhealthy food and drink products were more likely to consume them (e.g. for fast-food: 22% vs. 11%, RR = 2.01, 95%CI 1.68-2.42). There was no such association between measured food and drink adverts in respondents' local areas and self-reported consumption of HFSS product (90.1% vs. 90.7%, RR = 0.99, 95%CI 0.96-1.03). CONCLUSIONS Self-reported outdoor advertisement exposure is correlated with measured exposure, making this a useful methodology for population studies. It has the added advantage that it correlates with consumption. However, given that measurement error can be significant and self-reported exposure is known to be susceptible to various biases, inferences from studies using this exposure metric should be made with caution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lauren J Scott
- National Institute for Health Research Applied Research Collaboration West (NIHR ARC West), University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust, Bristol, UK
- Population health Sciences, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
| | - Zoi Toumpakari
- Centre for Exercise, Nutrition & Health Sciences, School for Policy Studies, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
| | - James Nobles
- Obesity Institute, School of Health, Leeds Beckett University, Leeds, UK
| | - Carlos Sillero-Rejon
- National Institute for Health Research Applied Research Collaboration West (NIHR ARC West), University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust, Bristol, UK
- Population health Sciences, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
| | - Russell Jago
- National Institute for Health Research Applied Research Collaboration West (NIHR ARC West), University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust, Bristol, UK
- Population health Sciences, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
- Centre for Exercise, Nutrition & Health Sciences, School for Policy Studies, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
| | - Steven Cummins
- Faculty of Public Health and Policy, London School of Hygiene and tropical medicine, London, UK
| | - Sarah Blake
- National Institute for Health Research Applied Research Collaboration West (NIHR ARC West), University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust, Bristol, UK
| | - Jeremy Horwood
- National Institute for Health Research Applied Research Collaboration West (NIHR ARC West), University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust, Bristol, UK
- Population health Sciences, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
| | - Frank de Vocht
- National Institute for Health Research Applied Research Collaboration West (NIHR ARC West), University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust, Bristol, UK.
- Population health Sciences, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK.
- NIHR ARC West, 9th Floor, Whitefriars Lewins Mead Bristol, Bristol, BS1 2NT, UK.
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Haushalter K, Pritschet SJ, Long JW, Edwards CG, Boyland EJ, Evans RK, Masterson TD. User engagement with a popular food brand before, during and after a multi-day interactive marketing campaign on a popular live streaming platform. Public Health Nutr 2023; 26:1-9. [PMID: 36645264 PMCID: PMC10131139 DOI: 10.1017/s1368980023000083] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2022] [Revised: 11/15/2022] [Accepted: 12/26/2022] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To assess viewer engagement of a food advertising campaign on the live streaming platform Twitch.tv, a social media platform that allows creators to live stream content and communicate with their audience in real time. DESIGN Observational analysis of chat comments across the Twitch platform containing the word 'Wendy's' or 'Wendys' during a 5-day ad campaign compared with two 5-day non-campaign time periods. Comments were categorised as positive, negative or neutral in how their sentiment pertained to the brand Wendy's. SETTING Twitch chatrooms. PARTICIPANTS None. RESULTS There were significantly more chatroom messages related to the Wendy's brand during the campaign period. When considering all messages, the proportion of messages was statistically different (x2 = 1417·41, P < 0·001) across time periods, with a higher proportion of neutral and positive messages and a lower proportion of negative messages during the campaign compared with the comparison periods. Additionally, the proportion of negative messages following the campaign was lower than before the campaign. When considering only positive and negative messages, the proportion of messages was statistically different (x2 = 366·38, P < 0·001) across each time period with a higher proportion of positive messages and a lower proportion of negative messages during the campaign when compared with the other time periods. Additionally, there was a higher proportion of positive messages and a lower portion of negative messages following the campaign when compared with before the campaign. CONCLUSIONS This study demonstrates the impact and sustained impact of a fast-food brand ad campaign on brand engagement on the live streaming platform Twitch.
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Affiliation(s)
- Keally Haushalter
- Department of Nutritional Sciences, College of Health and Human Development, The Pennsylvania State University, 226 Henderson, University Park, PA16802, USA
| | - Sara J Pritschet
- Department of Nutritional Sciences, College of Health and Human Development, The Pennsylvania State University, 226 Henderson, University Park, PA16802, USA
| | - John W Long
- Department of Nutritional Sciences, College of Health and Human Development, The Pennsylvania State University, 226 Henderson, University Park, PA16802, USA
| | - Caitlyn G Edwards
- Department of Nutritional Sciences, College of Health and Human Development, The Pennsylvania State University, 226 Henderson, University Park, PA16802, USA
| | - Emma J Boyland
- Department of Psychology, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
| | - Rebecca K Evans
- Department of Psychology, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
| | - Travis D Masterson
- Department of Nutritional Sciences, College of Health and Human Development, The Pennsylvania State University, 226 Henderson, University Park, PA16802, USA
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Thomas C, Breeze P, Cummins S, Cornelsen L, Yau A, Brennan A. The health, cost and equity impacts of restrictions on the advertisement of high fat, salt and sugar products across the transport for London network: a health economic modelling study. Int J Behav Nutr Phys Act 2022; 19:93. [PMID: 35897072 PMCID: PMC9326956 DOI: 10.1186/s12966-022-01331-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2022] [Accepted: 07/07/2022] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Policies aimed at restricting the marketing of high fat, salt and sugar products have been proposed as one way of improving population diet and reducing obesity. In 2019, Transport for London implemented advertising restrictions on high fat, salt and sugar products. A controlled interrupted time-series analysis comparing London with a north of England control, suggested that the advertising restrictions had resulted in a reduction in household energy purchases. The aim of the study presented here was to estimate the health benefits, cost savings and equity impacts of the Transport for London policy using a health economic modelling approach, from an English National Health Service and personal social services perspective. METHODS A diabetes prevention microsimulation model was modified to incorporate the London population and Transport for London advertising intervention. Conversion of calorie to body mass index reduction was mediated through an approximation of a mathematical model estimating weight loss. Outcomes gathered included incremental obesity, long-term diabetes and cardiovascular disease events, quality-adjusted life years, healthcare costs saved and net monetary benefit. Slope index of inequality was calculated for proportion of people with obesity across socioeconomic groups to assess equity impacts. RESULTS The results show that the Transport for London policy was estimated to have resulted in 94,867 (4.8%) fewer individuals with obesity, and to reduce incidence of diabetes and cardiovascular disease by 2,857 and 1,915 cases respectively within three years post intervention. The policy would produce an estimated 16,394 additional quality-adjusted life-years and save £218 m in NHS and social care costs over the lifetime of the current population. Greater benefits (e.g. a 37% higher gain in quality-adjusted life-years) were expected to accrue to individuals from the most socioeconomically deprived groups compared to the least deprived. CONCLUSIONS This analysis suggests that there are considerable potential health and economic gains from restricting the advertisement of high fat, salt and sugar products. The population health and economic impacts of the Transport for London advertising restrictions are likely to have reduced health inequalities in London.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chloe Thomas
- School for Health and Related Research, University of Sheffield, 30 Regent Court, Regent Street, Sheffield, S1 4DA, UK.
| | - Penny Breeze
- School for Health and Related Research, University of Sheffield, 30 Regent Court, Regent Street, Sheffield, S1 4DA, UK
| | - Steven Cummins
- Department of Public Health, Environments and Society, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, 15-17 Tavistock Place, London, WC1H 9SH, UK
| | - Laura Cornelsen
- Department of Public Health, Environments and Society, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, 15-17 Tavistock Place, London, WC1H 9SH, UK
| | - Amy Yau
- Department of Public Health, Environments and Society, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, 15-17 Tavistock Place, London, WC1H 9SH, UK
| | - Alan Brennan
- School for Health and Related Research, University of Sheffield, 30 Regent Court, Regent Street, Sheffield, S1 4DA, UK
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Finlay A, Robinson E, Jones A, Maden M, Cerny C, Muc M, Evans R, Makin H, Boyland E. A scoping review of outdoor food marketing: exposure, power and impacts on eating behaviour and health. BMC Public Health 2022; 22:1431. [PMID: 35896996 PMCID: PMC9330687 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-022-13784-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2022] [Accepted: 07/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND There is convincing evidence that unhealthy food marketing is extensive on television and in digital media, uses powerful persuasive techniques, and impacts dietary choices and consumption, particularly in children. It is less clear whether this is also the case for outdoor food marketing. This review (i) identifies common criteria used to define outdoor food marketing, (ii) summarises research methodologies used, (iii) identifies available evidence on the exposure, power (i.e. persuasive creative strategies within marketing) and impact of outdoor food marketing on behaviour and health and (iv) identifies knowledge gaps and directions for future research. METHODS A systematic search was conducted of Medline (Ovid), Scopus, Science Direct, Proquest, PsycINFO, CINAHL, PubMed, the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials and a number of grey literature sources. Titles and abstracts were screened by one researcher. Relevant full texts were independently checked by two researchers against eligibility criteria. RESULTS Fifty-three studies were conducted across twenty-one countries. The majority of studies (n = 39) were conducted in high-income countries. All measured the extent of exposure to outdoor food marketing, twelve also assessed power and three measured impact on behavioural or health outcomes. Criteria used to define outdoor food marketing and methodologies adopted were highly variable across studies. Almost a quarter of advertisements across all studies were for food (mean of 22.1%) and the majority of advertised foods were unhealthy (mean of 63%). The evidence on differences in exposure by SES is heterogenous, which makes it difficult to draw conclusions, however the research suggests that ethnic minority groups have a higher likelihood of exposure to food marketing outdoors. The most frequent persuasive creative strategies were premium offers and use of characters. There was limited evidence on the relationship between exposure to outdoor food marketing and eating behaviour or health outcomes. CONCLUSIONS This review highlights the extent of unhealthy outdoor food marketing globally and the powerful methods used within this marketing. There is a need for consistency in defining and measuring outdoor food marketing to enable comparison across time and place. Future research should attempt to measure direct impacts on behaviour and health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amy Finlay
- Department of Psychology, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, L69 7ZA, UK.
| | - Eric Robinson
- Department of Psychology, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, L69 7ZA, UK
| | - Andrew Jones
- Department of Psychology, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, L69 7ZA, UK
| | - Michelle Maden
- Liverpool Reviews and Implementation Group, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, L69 3GB, UK
| | - Caroline Cerny
- Department of Psychology, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, L69 7ZA, UK
- Obesity Health Alliance, Liverpool, UK
| | - Magdalena Muc
- Department of Psychology, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, L69 7ZA, UK
| | - Rebecca Evans
- Department of Psychology, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, L69 7ZA, UK
| | - Harriet Makin
- Department of Psychology, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, L69 7ZA, UK
| | - Emma Boyland
- Department of Psychology, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, L69 7ZA, UK
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Yau A, Berger N, Law C, Cornelsen L, Greener R, Adams J, Boyland EJ, Burgoine T, de Vocht F, Egan M, Er V, Lake AA, Lock K, Mytton O, Petticrew M, Thompson C, White M, Cummins S. Changes in household food and drink purchases following restrictions on the advertisement of high fat, salt, and sugar products across the Transport for London network: A controlled interrupted time series analysis. PLoS Med 2022; 19:e1003915. [PMID: 35176022 PMCID: PMC8853584 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pmed.1003915] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2021] [Accepted: 01/14/2022] [Indexed: 02/02/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Restricting the advertisement of products with high fat, salt, and sugar (HFSS) content has been recommended as a policy tool to improve diet and tackle obesity, but the impact on HFSS purchasing is unknown. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of HFSS advertising restrictions, implemented across the London (UK) transport network in February 2019, on HFSS purchases. METHODS AND FINDINGS Over 5 million take-home food and drink purchases were recorded by 1,970 households (London [intervention], n = 977; North of England [control], n = 993) randomly selected from the Kantar Fast Moving Consumer Goods panel. The intervention and control samples were similar in household characteristics but had small differences in main food shopper sex, socioeconomic position, and body mass index. Using a controlled interrupted time series design, we estimated average weekly household purchases of energy and nutrients from HFSS products in the post-intervention period (44 weeks) compared to a counterfactual constructed from the control and pre-intervention (36 weeks) series. Energy purchased from HFSS products was 6.7% (1,001.0 kcal, 95% CI 456.0 to 1,546.0) lower among intervention households compared to the counterfactual. Relative reductions in purchases of fat (57.9 g, 95% CI 22.1 to 93.7), saturated fat (26.4 g, 95% CI 12.4 to 40.4), and sugar (80.7 g, 95% CI 41.4 to 120.1) from HFSS products were also observed. Energy from chocolate and confectionery purchases was 19.4% (317.9 kcal, 95% CI 200.0 to 435.8) lower among intervention households than for the counterfactual, with corresponding relative reductions in fat (13.1 g, 95% CI 7.5 to 18.8), saturated fat (8.7 g, 95% CI 5.7 to 11.7), sugar (41.4 g, 95% CI 27.4 to 55.4), and salt (0.2 g, 95% CI 0.1 to 0.2) purchased from chocolate and confectionery. Relative reductions are in the context of secular increases in HFSS purchases in both the intervention and control areas, so the policy was associated with attenuated growth of HFSS purchases rather than absolute reduction in HFSS purchases. Study limitations include the lack of out-of-home purchases in our analyses and not being able to assess the sustainability of observed changes beyond 44 weeks. CONCLUSIONS This study finds an association between the implementation of restrictions on outdoor HFSS advertising and relative reductions in energy, sugar, and fat purchased from HFSS products. These findings provide support for policies that restrict HFSS advertising as a tool to reduce purchases of HFSS products.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amy Yau
- Population Health Innovation Lab, Department of Public Health, Environments and Society, Faculty of Public Health and Policy, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
- Department of Health Services Research and Policy, Faculty of Public Health and Policy, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
- * E-mail: (AY); (SC)
| | - Nicolas Berger
- Population Health Innovation Lab, Department of Public Health, Environments and Society, Faculty of Public Health and Policy, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
- Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, Scientific Institute of Public Health (Sciensano), Brussels, Belgium
| | - Cherry Law
- Population Health Innovation Lab, Department of Public Health, Environments and Society, Faculty of Public Health and Policy, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Laura Cornelsen
- Population Health Innovation Lab, Department of Public Health, Environments and Society, Faculty of Public Health and Policy, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Robert Greener
- Population Health Innovation Lab, Department of Public Health, Environments and Society, Faculty of Public Health and Policy, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Jean Adams
- MRC Epidemiology Unit, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Emma J. Boyland
- Department of Psychology, Institute of Population Health, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, United Kingdom
| | - Thomas Burgoine
- MRC Epidemiology Unit, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Frank de Vocht
- Population Health Sciences, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Bristol, United Kingdom
- National Institute for Health Research Applied Research Collaboration West, Bristol, United Kingdom
| | - Matt Egan
- Department of Public Health, Environments and Society, Faculty of Public Health and Policy, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Vanessa Er
- Population Health Innovation Lab, Department of Public Health, Environments and Society, Faculty of Public Health and Policy, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
- Department of Health Services Research and Policy, Faculty of Public Health and Policy, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Amelia A. Lake
- School of Health and Life Sciences, Teesside University, Middlesbrough, United Kingdom
- Fuse–The Centre for Translational Research in Public Health, Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom
| | - Karen Lock
- Department of Health Services Research and Policy, Faculty of Public Health and Policy, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Oliver Mytton
- MRC Epidemiology Unit, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Mark Petticrew
- Department of Public Health, Environments and Society, Faculty of Public Health and Policy, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Claire Thompson
- Centre for Research in Public Health and Community Care, School of Health and Social Work, University of Hertfordshire, Hatfield, United Kingdom
| | - Martin White
- MRC Epidemiology Unit, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Steven Cummins
- Population Health Innovation Lab, Department of Public Health, Environments and Society, Faculty of Public Health and Policy, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
- * E-mail: (AY); (SC)
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Keeble M, Adams J, Vanderlee L, Hammond D, Burgoine T. Associations between online food outlet access and online food delivery service use amongst adults in the UK: a cross-sectional analysis of linked data. BMC Public Health 2021; 21:1968. [PMID: 34719382 PMCID: PMC8557109 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-021-11953-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2021] [Accepted: 10/06/2021] [Indexed: 02/02/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Online food delivery services facilitate 'online' access to food outlets that typically sell lenergy-dense nutrient-poor food. Greater online food outlet access might be related to the use of this purchasing format and living with excess bodyweight, however, this is not known. We aimed to investigate the association between aspects of online food outlet access and online food delivery service use, and differences according to customer sociodemographic characteristics, as well as the association between the number of food outlets accessible online and bodyweight. METHODS In 2019, we used an automated data collection method to collect data on all food outlets in the UK registered with the leading online food delivery service Just Eat (n = 33,204). We linked this with contemporaneous data on food purchasing, bodyweight, and sociodemographic information collected through the International Food Policy Study (analytic sample n = 3067). We used adjusted binomial logistic, linear, and multinomial logistic regression models to examine associations. RESULTS Adults in the UK had online access to a median of 85 food outlets (IQR: 34-181) and 85 unique types of cuisine (IQR: 64-108), and 15.1% reported online food delivery service use in the previous week. Those with the greatest number of accessible food outlets (quarter four, 182-879) had 71% greater odds of online food delivery service use (OR: 1.71; 95% CI: 1.09, 2.68) compared to those with the least (quarter one, 0-34). This pattern was evident amongst adults with a university degree (OR: 2.11; 95% CI: 1.15, 3.85), adults aged between 18 and 29 years (OR: 3.27, 95% CI: 1.59, 6.72), those living with children (OR: 1.94; 95% CI: 1.01; 3.75), and females at each level of increased exposure. We found no association between the number of unique types of cuisine accessible online and online food delivery service use, or between the number of food outlets accessible online and bodyweight. CONCLUSIONS The number of food outlets accessible online is positively associated with online food delivery service use. Adults with the highest education, younger adults, those living with children, and females, were particularly susceptible to the greatest online food outlet access. Further research is required to investigate the possible health implications of online food delivery service use.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew Keeble
- grid.5335.00000000121885934MRC Epidemiology Unit, University of Cambridge School of Clinical Medicine, Box 285 Institute of Metabolic Science, Cambridge Biomedical Campus, Cambridge, CB2 0QQ UK
| | - Jean Adams
- grid.5335.00000000121885934MRC Epidemiology Unit, University of Cambridge School of Clinical Medicine, Box 285 Institute of Metabolic Science, Cambridge Biomedical Campus, Cambridge, CB2 0QQ UK
| | - Lana Vanderlee
- grid.23856.3a0000 0004 1936 8390École de Nutrition, Université Laval, Pavillon des Services, bureau 2729-E, 2440 boul. Hochelaga, Quebec City, QC G1V 0A6 Canada
| | - David Hammond
- grid.46078.3d0000 0000 8644 1405School of Public Health and Health Systems, Faculty of Health, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, ON N2L 3G1 Canada
| | - Thomas Burgoine
- grid.5335.00000000121885934MRC Epidemiology Unit, University of Cambridge School of Clinical Medicine, Box 285 Institute of Metabolic Science, Cambridge Biomedical Campus, Cambridge, CB2 0QQ UK
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Prevalence and comparisons of alcohol, candy, energy drink, snack, soda, and restaurant brand and product marketing on Twitch, Facebook Gaming and YouTube Gaming. Public Health Nutr 2021; 25:1-12. [PMID: 34693900 PMCID: PMC8593406 DOI: 10.1017/s1368980021004420] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
Objective: To compare and evaluate the prevalence of food and beverage marketing on the livestreaming platforms Twitch, Facebook Gaming and YouTube Gaming, as well as examine growth of food and beverage marketing on these platforms over a 17-month period of data collection. Design: Cross-sectional data were analysed across three livestreaming platforms and six food and beverage categories: alcohol, candy, energy drinks, snacks, sodas and restaurants. Setting: Stream titles of livestreamed events as well as corresponding hours watched on Twitch, Facebook Gaming and YouTube Gaming. Participants: None. Results: There were significant differences between the use of food and beverage brand mentions in stream titles across all three studied platforms (P < 0·05), as well as hours watched across platforms (P < 0·05). Energy drinks dominated food and beverage brand mentions across platforms, followed by restaurants, soda and snacks. All platforms demonstrated growth over the 17-month data collection period. Post-hoc analyses revealed that the COVID-19 pandemic impacted both immediate and sustained growth across all platforms, with the greatest impact observed on the Twitch platform. Conclusions: Food and beverage marketing as measured through stream titles is widely prevalent across the three most popular livestreaming platforms, particularly for energy drinks. Food marketing on these platforms experienced growth over the past 17 months which was accelerated substantially by the COVID-19 pandemic. Future work should assess the sustained impact this growth may have on marketing practices and eating behaviour.
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