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Vaillancourt C, Ahmed M, Kirk S, Labonté MÈ, Laar A, Mah CL, Minaker L, Olstad DL, Potvin Kent M, Provencher V, Prowse R, Raine KD, Schram A, Zavala-Mora D, Rancourt-Bouchard M, Vanderlee L. Food environment research in Canada: a rapid review of methodologies and measures deployed between 2010 and 2021. Int J Behav Nutr Phys Act 2024; 21:18. [PMID: 38373957 PMCID: PMC10875887 DOI: 10.1186/s12966-024-01558-x] [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: 01/24/2023] [Accepted: 01/03/2024] [Indexed: 02/21/2024] Open
Abstract
Numerous research methodologies have been used to examine food environments. Existing reviews synthesizing food environment measures have examined a limited number of domains or settings and none have specifically targeted Canada. This rapid review aimed to 1) map research methodologies and measures that have been used to assess food environments; 2) examine what food environment dimensions and equity related-factors have been assessed; and 3) identify research gaps and priorities to guide future research. A systematic search of primary articles evaluating the Canadian food environment in a real-world setting was conducted. Publications in English or French published in peer-reviewed journals between January 1 2010 and June 17 2021 and indexed in Web of Science, CAB Abstracts and Ovid MEDLINE were considered. The search strategy adapted an internationally-adopted food environment monitoring framework covering 7 domains (Food Marketing; Labelling; Prices; Provision; Composition; Retail; and Trade and Investment). The final sample included 220 articles. Overall, Trade and Investment (1%, n = 2), Labelling (7%, n = 15) and, to a lesser extent, Prices (14%, n = 30) were the least studied domains in Canada. Among Provision articles, healthcare (2%, n = 1) settings were underrepresented compared to school (67%, n = 28) and recreation and sport (24%, n = 10) settings, as was the food service industry (14%, n = 6) compared to grocery stores (86%, n = 36) in the Composition domain. The study identified a vast selection of measures employed in Canada overall and within single domains. Equity-related factors were only examined in half of articles (n = 108), mostly related to Retail (n = 81). A number of gaps remain that prevent a holistic and systems-level analysis of food environments in Canada. As Canada continues to implement policies to improve the quality of food environments in order to improve dietary patterns, targeted research to address identified gaps and harmonize methods across studies will help evaluate policy impact over time.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caroline Vaillancourt
- École de Nutrition, Centre de Nutrition, Santé et Société (NUTRISS), Université Laval, 2425 Rue de L'Agriculture, Québec, QC, G1V 0A6, Canada
| | - Mavra Ahmed
- Department of Nutritional Sciences, University of Toronto, 1 King's College Circle, Toronto, ON, M5S 1A8, Canada
| | - Sara Kirk
- School of Health and Human Performance, Dalhousie University, 6230 South Street, Kjipuktuk (Halifax), NS, B3H 4R2, Canada
| | - Marie-Ève Labonté
- École de Nutrition, Centre de Nutrition, Santé et Société (NUTRISS), Université Laval, 2425 Rue de L'Agriculture, Québec, QC, G1V 0A6, Canada
| | - Amos Laar
- Department of Population, Family and Reproductive Health, School of Public Health, University of Ghana, P. O. Box LG 13, Legon, Accra, Ghana
| | - Catherine L Mah
- School of Health Administration, Dalhousie University, 5850 College Street, Halifax, NS, B3H 4R2, Canada
| | - Leia Minaker
- School of Planning, University of Waterloo, 200 University Avenue West, Waterloo, ON, N2L 3T1, Canada
| | - Dana Lee Olstad
- Department of Community Health Sciences, University of Calgary, 3280 Hospital Drive NW, Calgary, AB, T2N 4Z6, Canada
| | - Monique Potvin Kent
- School of Epidemiology and Public Health, University of Ottawa, 600 Peter Morand Crescent, Ottawa, ON, K1G 5Z3, Canada
| | - Véronique Provencher
- École de Nutrition, Centre de Nutrition, Santé et Société (NUTRISS), Université Laval, 2425 Rue de L'Agriculture, Québec, QC, G1V 0A6, Canada
| | - Rachel Prowse
- Division of Community Health and Humanities, Faculty of Medicine, Memorial University of Newfoundland, 300 Prince Philip Drive, St. John's, NL, A1B 3V6, Canada
| | - Kim D Raine
- School of Public Health, University of Alberta, 11405 87 Ave Northwest, Edmonton, AB, T6G 1C9, Canada
| | - Ashley Schram
- School of Regulation and Global Governance (RegNet), ANU College of Asia & the Pacific, The Australian National University, 8 Fellows Road, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, 2600, Australia
| | - Daniela Zavala-Mora
- Science Library, Université Laval, 1045 Avenue de La Médecine, Québec, QC, G1V 0A6, Canada
| | - Maryka Rancourt-Bouchard
- École de Nutrition, Centre de Nutrition, Santé et Société (NUTRISS), Université Laval, 2425 Rue de L'Agriculture, Québec, QC, G1V 0A6, Canada
| | - Lana Vanderlee
- École de Nutrition, Centre de Nutrition, Santé et Société (NUTRISS), Université Laval, 2425 Rue de L'Agriculture, Québec, QC, G1V 0A6, Canada.
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Lianbiaklal S, Rehman V. Revisiting 42 Years of literature on food marketing to children: A morphological analysis. Appetite 2023; 190:106989. [PMID: 37524244 DOI: 10.1016/j.appet.2023.106989] [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: 03/11/2023] [Revised: 07/19/2023] [Accepted: 07/26/2023] [Indexed: 08/02/2023]
Abstract
Despite the preventive measures taken by the WHO, childhood obesity is still on the rise and is expected to increase by 100% between 2020 and 2035. Food marketing continues to permeate children's environments in numerous ways and influence the food behaviour of children, thus significantly contributing to the rise of obesity. Studies suggest that the literature on the effects of food marketing on children is complex and multidimensional. To fully understand these effects, a comprehensive and systematic approach is required. Nonetheless, existing reviews have focused only on specific aspects and have not comprehensively covered the literature on food marketing to children. Therefore, this review aims to navigate potential research gaps in the existing literature through a comprehensive examination of the literature by using morphological analysis (MA) methodology, the first time in this domain. Using PRISMA, 202 papers were considered eligible for inclusion and further analysed using MA. The articles were categorised into three dimensions to develop the MA framework: Stimuli (Food well-being), Organism, and Response, and 34 variants. The review has presented future research prospects by identifying at least 218 research gaps. With these findings, researchers can further explore the gaps and develop new research questions that could foster an understanding of the multifarious literature. Moreover, these findings can also provide marketers and practitioners with a better comprehension of the current state of the literature and develop more effective strategies for responsible marketing practices and policies.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Lianbiaklal
- Department of Management Studies, Indian Institute of Technology Madras, India.
| | - Varisha Rehman
- Department of Management Studies, Indian Institute of Technology Madras, India.
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Bagnato M, Roy-Gagnon MH, Vanderlee L, White C, Hammond D, Potvin Kent M. The impact of fast food marketing on brand preferences and fast food intake of youth aged 10-17 across six countries. BMC Public Health 2023; 23:1436. [PMID: 37501119 PMCID: PMC10373354 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-023-16158-w] [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: 02/07/2023] [Accepted: 06/20/2023] [Indexed: 07/29/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Consumption of fast food, which is associated with poor diet, weight gain and the development of noncommunicable diseases, is high amongst youth. Fast food marketing, a modifiable determinant of excess weight and obesity, affects youth's food-related behaviours. This study aimed to examine the relationship between exposure to fast food marketing and the fast food brand preferences and intake amongst youth aged 10-17 across six countries. METHODS Data from 9,695 youth respondents living in Australia, Canada, Chile, Mexico, the United Kingdom (UK) and the United States (US) were analyzed from the 2019 International Food Policy Study (IFPS) Youth Survey. Survey measures assessed exposure to fast food marketing and brand-specific marketing, and preference for these brands and fast food intake. Regression models adjusted for age, sex, income adequacy and ethnicity were used to examine the associations. RESULTS Exposure to fast food marketing was positively associated with brand preferences and intake consistently across most countries. Overall, preference for McDonald's (OR:1.97; 95% CI:1.52, 2.56), KFC (OR:1.61; 95% CI:1.24, 2.09) and Subway (OR:1.73; 95% CI:1.34, 2.24) were highest when exposed to general fast food marketing ≥ 2x/week compared to never. Preference for McDonald's (OR:2.32; 95% CI:1.92, 2.79), KFC (OR:2.28; 95% CI:1.95, 2.68) and Subway (OR:2.75; 95% CI:2.32, 3.27) were also higher when exposed to marketing for each brand compared to not. Fast food intake was highest in Chile (IRR:1.90; 95% CI:1.45, 2.48), the UK (IRR:1.40; 95% CI:1.20, 1.63), Canada (IRR:1.32; 95% CI:1.19, 1.48), Mexico (IRR:1.26; 95% CI:1.05, 1.53) and the US (IRR:1.21; 95% CI:1.05, 1.41) when exposed to general fast food marketing ≥ 2x/week compared to never and was higher across most countries when exposed to brand-specific marketing compared to not. Respondents classified as ethnic minorities were more likely to report consuming fast food than ethnic majorities, and females were less likely to report consuming fast food than males. CONCLUSIONS Exposure to fast food marketing is consistently and positively associated with brand preferences and fast food intake in all six countries. Our results highlight the need for strict government regulation to reduce exposure of unhealthy food marketing to youth in all six countries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mariangela Bagnato
- School of Epidemiology and Public Health, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Canada
| | | | - Lana Vanderlee
- École de Nutrition, Centre Nutrition, Santé Et Société (Centre NUTRISS), and Institut Sur La Nutrition Et Les Aliments Fonctionnels (INAF), Université Laval, Quebec City, Canada
| | - Christine White
- School of Public Health Sciences, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, Canada
| | - David Hammond
- School of Public Health Sciences, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, Canada
| | - Monique Potvin Kent
- School of Epidemiology and Public Health, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Canada.
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Elliott C, Truman E, Black JE. Tracking teen food marketing: Participatory research to examine persuasive power and platforms of exposure. Appetite 2023; 186:106550. [PMID: 37019155 DOI: 10.1016/j.appet.2023.106550] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2022] [Revised: 03/17/2023] [Accepted: 03/30/2023] [Indexed: 04/05/2023]
Abstract
Food marketing has long been recognized to influence children's food preferences and consumption patterns, yet only in recent years have teenagers been recognized as a uniquely vulnerable audience for food marketing appeals. Marketing pressures on teenagers around food promotion continue to intensify, yet little is known about the marketing channels and specific persuasive appeals targeting this audience. Given this research gap, this participatory research study engages teenagers to capture the food marketing targeting them and to identify its persuasive "power" and platforms of exposure. Using a specially designed mobile app called GrabFM! (Grab Food Marketing!) teenagers (ages 13-17, n = 309) identified and tagged examples of teen-targeted food marketing in their physical and digital environments over a 7-day period. Results reveal that: 1) digital platforms dominate teen-targeted food marketing, with over three quarters of the ads found on Instagram, Snapchat, TikTok, ad YouTube; 2) branded beverages, fast food, and candy/chocolate comprise the majority (72%) of ads; and 3) the most powerful techniques for attracting teens attention are visual style, special offer and theme. In 40% of advertisements submitted, teenagers used only one indicator to identify "teen-targeted", although older teenagers (ages 15-17) were more likely to report multiple indicators per ad. This study provides important insights into the platforms targeting teenagers (and their relative importance), the food products endorsed, and the specific appeals that teenagers find persuasive. For the purposes of monitoring, it is helpful to know that digital platforms comprise the majority of teen-directed food promotions, and that the Big Food brands have been joined by countless smaller players to sell food to teens.
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Potvin Kent M, Soares Guimaraes J, Pritchard M, Remedios L, Pauzé E, L'Abbé M, Mulligan C, Vergeer L, Weippert M. Differences in child and adolescent exposure to unhealthy food and beverage advertising on television in a self-regulatory environment. BMC Public Health 2023; 23:555. [PMID: 36959572 PMCID: PMC10037770 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-023-15027-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2022] [Accepted: 01/11/2023] [Indexed: 03/25/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Food and beverage promotion is a contributor to children's dietary behaviours, and ultimately, downstream health consequences. Broadcast television remains an important source of such advertising. The objective of this study was to examine and compare children and adolescent's exposure to food advertising on television in Canada over an entire year in a self-regulatory environment. METHODS Television advertising data for 57 selected food and beverage categories were licensed from Numerator for 36 stations in Toronto, for 2019. The estimated average number of advertisements viewed by children aged 2-11 and adolescents aged 12-17 was determined overall, by food category, and by marketing technique. The healthfulness of advertisements was also assessed using Health Canada's Nutrient Profile Model. RESULTS Overall in 2019, children viewed 2234.4 food ads/person/yr while adolescents viewed 1631.7 ads, exposure for both groups stemmed primarily from stations with general appeal, and both age groups were exposed to a range of powerful marketing techniques. Exposure to advertising for restaurants, snacks, breakfast food and candy and chocolate was high among both age groups and the healthfulness of most advertised products was considered poor. Adolescents were exposed to 36.4% more food products classified as unhealthy, had higher exposure to all marketing techniques examined, and were exposed to substantially more child-related marketing techniques compared to children. CONCLUSION Children and adolescents were heavily exposed to food advertisements on television in 2019. Despite current self-regulatory policies, children's exposure to unhealthy food and beverages remains high. Differences in exposure to food advertisements by food category and healthfulness may suggest that adolescents are being disproportionately targeted by food companies as a result of self-regulatory marketing restrictions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Monique Potvin Kent
- School of Epidemiology and Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa, 600 Peter Morand Crescent, Ottawa, Ontario, K1G 5Z3, Canada.
| | - Julia Soares Guimaraes
- School of Interdisciplinary Health Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Canada
| | - Meghan Pritchard
- School of Interdisciplinary Health Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Canada
| | - Lauren Remedios
- School of Epidemiology and Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa, 600 Peter Morand Crescent, Ottawa, Ontario, K1G 5Z3, Canada
| | - Elise Pauzé
- School of Interdisciplinary Health Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Canada
| | - Mary L'Abbé
- Department of Nutritional Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | - Christine Mulligan
- Department of Nutritional Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | - Laura Vergeer
- Department of Nutritional Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | - Madyson Weippert
- Department of Nutritional Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
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Acton RB, Bagnato M, Remedios L, Potvin Kent M, Vanderlee L, White CM, Hammond D. Examining differences in children and adolescents' exposure to food and beverage marketing in Canada by sociodemographic characteristics: Findings from the International Food Policy Study Youth Survey, 2020. Pediatr Obes 2023; 18:e13028. [PMID: 36958860 DOI: 10.1111/ijpo.13028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2022] [Revised: 02/10/2023] [Accepted: 03/06/2023] [Indexed: 03/25/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Many countries, including Canada, are considering regulations to restrict food and beverage marketing to children. However, little evidence is available outside of the US on how marketing exposure differs across sociodemographic subgroups. OBJECTIVE To investigate potential associations between child and adolescent sociodemographic characteristics and exposure to food and beverage marketing in Canada. METHODS Participants (n = 3780) aged 10-17 self-reported exposure to food and beverage marketing across food categories, locations and marketing techniques. Logistic regression models tested relationships between sociodemographics (age, sex, ethnicity and income adequacy) and marketing exposure. RESULTS Among other differences identified, 13-17 years old were more likely than 10-12 years old to report seeing unhealthy food marketing online. Girls were more likely than boys to see such marketing online and in retail settings, while boys were more likely to see it in video games. Minority ethnicities (including Indigenous youth) and respondents with lower income adequacy generally reported more exposure than White and higher income respondents, respectively. CONCLUSIONS This study highlights important differences in marketing exposure among youth of different sociodemographic groups in Canada, including greater exposure to marketing among those most disadvantaged and emphasizes the essential need to consider food marketing across equity groups when developing restrictions on marketing to kids.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rachel B Acton
- School of Public Health Sciences, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, Ontario, Canada
| | - Mariangela Bagnato
- School of Epidemiology and Public Health, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Lauren Remedios
- School of Epidemiology and Public Health, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Monique Potvin Kent
- School of Epidemiology and Public Health, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Lana Vanderlee
- École de Nutrition, Centre de Nutrition, Santé et Société (NUTRISS), Université Laval, Québec, Québec, Canada
| | - Christine M White
- School of Public Health Sciences, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, Ontario, Canada
| | - David Hammond
- School of Public Health Sciences, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, Ontario, Canada
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Tsochantaridou A, Sergentanis TN, Grammatikopoulou MG, Merakou K, Vassilakou T, Kornarou E. Food Advertisement and Dietary Choices in Adolescents: An Overview of Recent Studies. CHILDREN 2023; 10:children10030442. [PMID: 36980000 PMCID: PMC10047133 DOI: 10.3390/children10030442] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2022] [Revised: 02/09/2023] [Accepted: 02/11/2023] [Indexed: 03/03/2023]
Abstract
Adolescents are exposed to food marketing through many routes, including television, movies, videos, print media, online games, and social media. The interplay between exposure to unhealthy food advertisements and food choices by adolescents is a field of special interest given the ongoing evolution of social media trends and marketing strategies. The purpose of this review was to synthesize the scientific findings in the last five years (2017–2022) regarding the possible influence of nutrition-related advertisements through television, social media, or video games on the choice and consumption of unhealthy foods and drinks in adolescents. Nineteen studies were included in this review. Adolescents exposed to unhealthy food and beverage advertising showed high desire and intention to consume the advertised foods, as evidenced by the majority of included studies. The effects of advertisements are reinforced by peer pressure and influencers and interact with socioeconomic, biological, and environmental factors. Food marketing represents part of the obesogenic environment of the present time.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anastasia Tsochantaridou
- Department of Public Health Policy, School of Public Health, University of West Attica, 196 Alexandras Avenue, 11521 Athens, Greece
| | - Theodoros N. Sergentanis
- Department of Public Health Policy, School of Public Health, University of West Attica, 196 Alexandras Avenue, 11521 Athens, Greece
- Correspondence:
| | - Maria G. Grammatikopoulou
- Department of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, School of Health Sciences, University of Thessaly, Biopolis, 41110 Larissa, Greece
| | - Kyriakoula Merakou
- Department of Public Health Policy, School of Public Health, University of West Attica, 196 Alexandras Avenue, 11521 Athens, Greece
| | - Tonia Vassilakou
- Department of Public Health Policy, School of Public Health, University of West Attica, 196 Alexandras Avenue, 11521 Athens, Greece
| | - Eleni Kornarou
- Department of Public Health Policy, School of Public Health, University of West Attica, 196 Alexandras Avenue, 11521 Athens, Greece
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Potvin Kent M, Pauzé E, Bagnato M, Guimarães JS, Pinto A, Remedios L, Pritchard M, L'Abbé M, Mulligan C, Vergeer L, Weippert M. Advertising expenditures across media on food and beverage products heavily advertised on youth-appealing television stations in Canada. Appl Physiol Nutr Metab 2023; 48:27-37. [PMID: 36174233 DOI: 10.1139/apnm-2022-0219] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
This research estimated and characterized advertising expenditures on food products heavily advertised on youth-appealing television stations in Canada in 2019 overall, by media, by food category, and compared expenditures in two policy environments (Quebec and the rest of Canada, excluding the territories) and on "healthier" versus "less healthy" products. Advertising expenditure estimates for 57 selected food categories promoted on television, radio, out-of-home media, print media, and popular websites were licensed from Numerator. Sixty-one products or brands were identified as heavily advertised on youth-appealing stations and classified as "healthier" or "less healthy" based on a nutrient profile model proposed by Health Canada. Total expenditures and expenditures per adolescent capita were calculated. Approximately, $110.9 million was spent advertising food products heavily advertised to adolescents in Canada in 2019, with television accounting for 77% of total expenditures and fast food restaurants accounting for 51%. Most expenditures (77%; $80.6 million) were devoted to advertising "less healthy" products. In Quebec, advertising expenditures on examined products were 23% lower per capita ($45.15/capita) compared to the rest of Canada ($58.44/capita). Advertising expenditures in Quebec were lower for energy drinks (-47%; -$0.80/capita) and candy and chocolate (-41%; -$1.00/capita) and higher for yogurt (+85%; +$1.22/capita) and portable snacks (+25%; +$0.15/capita). Quebec's restriction of commercial advertising directed to children under 13 may explain lower per capita advertising expenditures on some "less healthy" foods heavily advertised to adolescents in Quebec. Nevertheless, this spending remains high in Quebec and nationally. Continued monitoring of these expenditures is warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Monique Potvin Kent
- School of Epidemiology and Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON K1G 5Z3, Canada
| | - Elise Pauzé
- Interdisciplinary School of Health Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON K1N 6N5, Canada
| | - Mariangela Bagnato
- School of Epidemiology and Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON K1G 5Z3, Canada
| | - Julia Soares Guimarães
- Interdisciplinary School of Health Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON K1N 6N5, Canada
| | - Adena Pinto
- School of Epidemiology and Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON K1G 5Z3, Canada
| | - Lauren Remedios
- School of Epidemiology and Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON K1G 5Z3, Canada
| | - Meghan Pritchard
- School of Epidemiology and Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON K1G 5Z3, Canada
| | - Mary L'Abbé
- Department of Nutritional Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 1A8, Canada
| | - Christine Mulligan
- Department of Nutritional Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 1A8, Canada
| | - Laura Vergeer
- Department of Nutritional Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 1A8, Canada
| | - Madyson Weippert
- Department of Nutritional Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 1A8, Canada
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Potvin Kent M, Pauzé E, Bagnato M, Guimarães JS, Pinto A, Remedios L, Pritchard M, L’Abbé MR, Mulligan C, Vergeer L, Weippert M. Food and beverage advertising expenditures in Canada in 2016 and 2019 across media. BMC Public Health 2022; 22:1458. [PMID: 35915428 PMCID: PMC9340686 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-022-13823-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2022] [Accepted: 06/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Background
Food and beverage advertising has been identified as a powerful determinant of dietary intake and weight. Available evidence suggests that the preponderance of food and beverage advertising expenditures are devoted to the promotion of unhealthy products. The purpose of this study is to estimate food advertising expenditures in Canada in 2019 overall, by media and by food category, determine how much was spent on promoting healthier versus less healthy products and assess whether changes in these expenditures occurred between 2016 and 2019.
Methods
Estimates of net advertising expenditures for 57 selected food categories promoted on television, radio, out-of-home media, print media and popular websites, were licensed from Numerator. The nutrient content of promoted products or brands were collected, and related expenditures were then categorized as “healthy” or “unhealthy” according to a Nutrient Profile Model (NPM) proposed by Health Canada. Expenditures were described using frequencies and relative frequencies and percent changes in expenditures between 2016 and 2019 were computed.
Results
An estimated $628.6 million was spent on examined food and beverage advertising in Canada in 2019, with television accounting for 67.7%, followed by digital media (11.8%). In 2019, most spending (55.7%) was devoted to restaurants, followed by dairy and alternatives (11%), and $492.9 million (87.2% of classified spending) was spent advertising products and brands classified as “unhealthy”. Fruit and vegetables and water accounted for only 2.1 and 0.8% of expenditures, respectively, in 2019. In 2019 compared to 2016, advertising expenditures decreased by 14.1% across all media (excluding digital media), with the largest decreases noted for print media (− 63.0%) and television (− 14.6%). Overall, expenditures increased the most in relative terms for fruit and vegetables (+ 19.5%) and miscellaneous products (+ 5%), while decreasing the most for water (− 55.6%) and beverages (− 47.5%).
Conclusions
Despite a slight drop in national food and beverage advertising spending between 2016 and 2019, examined expenditures remain high, and most products or brands being advertised are unhealthy. Expenditures across all media should continue to be monitored to assess Canada’s nutrition environment and track changes in food advertising over time.
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Trengove M, Kazim E, Almeida D, Hilliard A, Zannone S, Lomas E. A critical review of the Online Safety Bill. PATTERNS 2022; 3:100544. [PMID: 36033594 PMCID: PMC9403395 DOI: 10.1016/j.patter.2022.100544] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
The UK Parliament has tabled the Online Safety Bill to make the internet safer for users by requiring providers to regulate legal but harmful content on their platform. This paper critically assesses the draft legislation, surveying its rationale; its scope in terms of lawful and unlawful harms it intends to regulate; and the mechanisms through which it will be enforced. We argue that it requires further refinement if it is to protect free speech and innovation in the digital sphere. We propose four conclusions: further evidence is required to substantiate the necessity and proportionality of the Bill’s interventions; the Bill risks a democratic deficit by limiting the opportunity for parliamentary scrutiny; the duties of the bill may be too wide (in terms of burdening providers); and that enforcement of a Code of Practice will likely be insufficient. This critical perspective makes a timely contribution to the tech policy debate concerning the monitoring and moderation of online content. Governments globally are currently considering a range of legislative interventions to limit online abuse, disinformation, and the dissemination of illegal content on social media platforms. These interventions will significantly impact online free speech, competition between platforms, and the democratic function of online platforms. By investigating the UK’s Online Safety Bill, comparing it with similar interventions, and considering the political impact of different digital tools for moderation, this perspective aims to inform the current policy debate by combining technical and political insight. It indicates the need for further research into the comparative efficacy of different methods of content monitoring and moderation.
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Potvin Kent M, Hatoum F, Wu D, Remedios L, Bagnato M. Benchmarking unhealthy food marketing to children and adolescents in Canada: a scoping review. Health Promot Chronic Dis Prev Can 2022; 42:307-318. [PMID: 35993602 PMCID: PMC9514213 DOI: 10.24095/hpcdp.42.8.01] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Unhealthy food and beverage marketing in various media and settings contributes to children's poor dietary intake. In 2019, the Canadian federal government recommended the introduction of new restrictions on food marketing to children. This scoping review aimed to provide an up-to-date assessment of the frequency of food marketing to children and youth in Canada as well as children's exposure to this marketing in various media and settings in order to determine where gaps exist in the research. METHODS For this scoping review, detailed search strategies were used to identify relevant peer-reviewed and grey literature published between October 2016 and November 2021. Two reviewers screened all results. RESULTS A total of 32 relevant and unique articles were identified; 28 were peer reviewed and 4 were from the grey literature. The majority of the studies (n = 26) examined the frequency of food marketing while 6 examined actual exposure to food marketing. Most research focussed on children from Ontario and Quebec and television and digital media. There was little research exploring food marketing to children by age, geographical location, sex/gender, race/ethnicity and/or socioeconomic status. CONCLUSION Our synthesis suggests that unhealthy food marketing to children and adolescents is extensive and that current self-regulatory policies are insufficient at reducing the presence of such marketing. Research assessing the frequency of food marketing and preschooler, child and adolescent exposure to this marketing is needed across a variety of media and settings to inform future government policies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Monique Potvin Kent
- School of Epidemiology and Public Health, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Farah Hatoum
- School of Health Sciences, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - David Wu
- Michael G. DeGroote School of Medicine, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
| | - Lauren Remedios
- School of Epidemiology and Public Health, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Mariangela Bagnato
- School of Epidemiology and Public Health, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
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12
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Vanderlee L, Czoli CD, Pauzé E, Potvin Kent M, White CM, Hammond D. A comparison of self-reported exposure to fast food and sugary drinks marketing among parents of children across five countries. Prev Med 2021; 147:106521. [PMID: 33744330 DOI: 10.1016/j.ypmed.2021.106521] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2020] [Revised: 01/28/2021] [Accepted: 03/06/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Exposure to unhealthy food and beverage marketing is an important environmental determinant of dietary intake. The current study examined self-reported exposure to marketing of unhealthy foods and beverages across various media channels and settings among parents of children younger than 18 years in five high and upper-middle income countries. Data from 4827 parents living with their children were analyzed from the International Food Policy Study (2017), a web-based survey of adults aged 18-64 years from Canada, the United States (US), the United Kingdom (UK), Australia, and Mexico. Respondents reported their exposure to marketing of fast food and of sugary drinks across media channels/settings overall and how often they see fast food and sugary drink marketing while viewing media with their children. Regression models examined differences across countries and correlates of marketing exposure. Parents in Mexico and the US reported greater exposure to marketing for fast food and sugary drinks compared to parents in Australia, Canada, and the UK. Patterns of exposure among parents were generally consistent across countries, with TV, digital media, and radio being the most commonly reported media channels for both fast food and sugary drinks. Exposure to marketing of fast food and sugary drinks was associated with a variety of sociodemographic factors, most strongly with ethnicity and education, and sociodemographic trends differed somewhat between countries. The findings demonstrate differences in self-reported parental exposure to marketing of fast food and sugary drinks between countries, and may help to evaluate the impact of marketing restrictions implemented over time.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lana Vanderlee
- École de Nutrition, Centre de nutrition, santé et société (NUTRISS), Université Laval, 2425 rue de L'Agriculture, Québec, Québec G1V 0A6, Canada.
| | - Christine D Czoli
- School of Epidemiology and Public Health, University of Ottawa, 600 Peter Morand, Ottawa, Ontario K1G 5Z3, Canada; Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada, Ottawa, 110-1525 Carling Avenue, Ottawa, Ontario, K1Z 8R9, Canada
| | - Elise Pauzé
- School of Epidemiology and Public Health, University of Ottawa, 600 Peter Morand, Ottawa, Ontario K1G 5Z3, Canada.
| | - Monique Potvin Kent
- School of Epidemiology and Public Health, University of Ottawa, 600 Peter Morand, Ottawa, Ontario K1G 5Z3, Canada.
| | - Christine M White
- School of Public Health and Health Systems, University of Waterloo, 200 University Ave W, Waterloo, Ontario N2L 3G1, Canada.
| | - David Hammond
- School of Public Health and Health Systems, University of Waterloo, 200 University Ave W, Waterloo, Ontario N2L 3G1, Canada.
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13
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Children's measured exposure to food and beverage advertising on television in a regulated environment, May 2011-2019. Public Health Nutr 2021; 24:5914-5926. [PMID: 33843565 DOI: 10.1017/s1368980021001373] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To quantify food/beverage advertising on television in Montreal (Quebec), to estimate and characterise children's exposure and to examine trends over time. DESIGN Television food advertising data were licensed for nineteen food categories and eighteen stations for May 2011, 2016 and 2019. The frequency of advertisements and the average number viewed per child aged 2-11 years overall, by food category and by station type (i.e. youth-appealing (n 3) and generalist (n 15) stations) were determined. The percent change in advertising frequency and exposure between May 2011 and 2019 was calculated. SETTING Montreal, Quebec, Canada. PARTICIPANTS This study used media data and did not directly involve human participants. RESULTS The total number of television advertisements increased by 11 % between May 2011 (n 41 084) and May 2019 (n 45 406); however, exposure to food/beverage advertisements decreased by 53 %, going from 226 ads/child in May 2011 to 107 ads/child in May 2019. Overall, the most advertised food categories in both May 2011 and 2019 were fast food (29·8 % and 39·2 %, respectively) followed by chocolate (14·2 %) in 2011 and savory snacks (9·7 %) in 2019. In May 2019, children were predominantly exposed to unhealthy food categories such as fast food (41·3 % of exposure), savory snacks (7·5 %), chocolate (5·0 %) and regular soft drinks (4·5 %), and most (89·3 %) of their total exposure occurred on generalist television stations. CONCLUSION Despite Quebec's restrictions on commercial advertising directed to children under 13 years, Quebecois children are still frequently exposed to unhealthy food advertising on television. Government should tighten restrictions to protect children from this exposure.
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Amson A, Remedios L, Pinto A, Potvin Kent M. Exploring the extent of digital food and beverage related content associated with a family-friendly event: a case study. BMC Public Health 2021; 21:621. [PMID: 33785003 PMCID: PMC8011127 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-021-10716-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2020] [Accepted: 03/10/2021] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Exposure to unhealthy food and beverage content is a contributing factor to the obesity epidemic. Youth are susceptible to unhealthy digital food marketing including content shared by their peers, which can be as influential as commercial marketing. Current Canadian regulations do not consider the threat digital food marketing poses to health. No research to date has examined the prevalence of food related posts on social media surrounding family-friendly events. The aim of this study was to explore the frequency of food related content (including food marketing) and the marketing techniques employed in social media posts related to a family-friendly event in Canada. Methods In this case study, a content analysis of social media posts related to a family-friendly event on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram was conducted between January to February 2019. Each post containing food related content was identified and categorized by source and food category using a coding manual. Marketing techniques found in each food related post were also assessed. Results A total of 732 food and beverage related posts were assessed. These posts were most commonly promoted through Instagram (n = 561, 76.6%) with significantly more individual users (61.5%; p < 0.05) generating food and beverage related content (n = 198, 27%) than other post sources. The top most featured food category was fast food (n = 328, 44.8%) followed by dine-in restaurants (n = 126, 17.2%). The most frequently observed marketing techniques included predominantly featuring a child in the post (n = 124, 16.9%; p < 0.0001), followed by products intended for children (n = 118, 16.1%; p < 0.05), and the presence of family (n = 57, 7.8%; p < 0.0001). Conclusions The present study highlights the proliferation of unhealthy food and beverage content by individuals at a family-friendly event as well as the presence of food marketing. Due to the unfettered advertising found in digital spaces, and that they are largely unregulated, it is important for future policies looking to combat childhood obesity to consider incorporating social media into their regulations to safeguard family-friendly events. General awareness on the implications of peer to peer sharing of unhealthy food and beverage posts should also be considered. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12889-021-10716-w.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ashley Amson
- School of Epidemiology and Public Health, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, K1N 7K4, Canada
| | - Lauren Remedios
- School of Epidemiology and Public Health, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, K1N 7K4, Canada
| | - Adena Pinto
- School of Epidemiology and Public Health, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, K1N 7K4, Canada
| | - Monique Potvin Kent
- School of Epidemiology and Public Health, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, K1N 7K4, Canada.
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Pinto A, Pauzé E, Roy-Gagnon MH, Dubois L, Potvin Kent M. The targeting of preschoolers, children, adolescents and adults by the Canadian food and beverage industry on television: a cross-sectional study. Appl Physiol Nutr Metab 2020; 46:651-660. [PMID: 33320731 DOI: 10.1139/apnm-2020-0621] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Unhealthy food advertising can negatively impact children's food preferences and nutritional health. In Canada, only companies participating in the self-regulatory Children's Food and Beverage Advertising Initiative (CAI) commit to limiting unhealthy food advertising to children. We analyzed food advertising from 182 Canadian television stations in 2018. A principal component analysis explored patterns of advertising by 497 food companies and their targeting of preschoolers, children, adolescents, and adults. Chi-square analyses tested differences in the volume of advertising between target age groups by heavily advertising food companies and by CAI-participating and non-participating companies. In 2018, Maple Leaf Foods, Boulangerie St-Méthode, Exceldor Foods, Goodfood Market and Sobeys advertised most frequently during preschooler-programming. General Mills, Kellogg's, the Topps Company, Parmalat and Post Foods advertised most frequently during child-programming, while Burger King, McDonald's, General Mills, Kellogg's and Wendy's advertised most frequently during adolescent-programming. CAI-participating companies were responsible for over half of the food advertising broadcast during programs targeted to children (55%), while they accounted for less than half of the food advertising aired during programs targeting preschoolers (24%), adolescents (41%) and adults (42%). Statutory food advertising restrictions are needed to limit food companies' targeting of young people on television in Canada. Novelty: Advertising from fast food restaurant chains dominated television programming targeted to adolescents in 2018. Advertising from breakfast cereal, candy, and snack manufacturers dominated television programming targeted at children in 2018. Over 100 Canadian and transnational companies contravened broadcast restrictions on advertising to preschoolers in 2018.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Pinto
- School of Epidemiology and Public Health, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON K1G 5Z3, Canada.,School of Epidemiology and Public Health, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON K1G 5Z3, Canada
| | - E Pauzé
- School of Epidemiology and Public Health, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON K1G 5Z3, Canada.,School of Epidemiology and Public Health, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON K1G 5Z3, Canada
| | - M-H Roy-Gagnon
- School of Epidemiology and Public Health, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON K1G 5Z3, Canada.,School of Epidemiology and Public Health, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON K1G 5Z3, Canada
| | - L Dubois
- School of Epidemiology and Public Health, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON K1G 5Z3, Canada.,School of Epidemiology and Public Health, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON K1G 5Z3, Canada
| | - M Potvin Kent
- School of Epidemiology and Public Health, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON K1G 5Z3, Canada.,School of Epidemiology and Public Health, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON K1G 5Z3, Canada
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Gubbels JS. Environmental Influences on Dietary Intake of Children and Adolescents. Nutrients 2020; 12:nu12040922. [PMID: 32230823 PMCID: PMC7230773 DOI: 10.3390/nu12040922] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2020] [Accepted: 03/19/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Jessica S Gubbels
- Department of Health Promotion, NUTRIM School of Nutrition and Translational Research in Metabolism, Maastricht University, NL-6200 MD, Maastricht, The Netherlands
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17
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Pinto A, Pauzé E, Mutata R, Roy-Gagnon MH, Potvin Kent M. Food and Beverage Advertising to Children and Adolescents on Television: A Baseline Study. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2020; 17:E1999. [PMID: 32197390 PMCID: PMC7142724 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph17061999] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2020] [Revised: 03/11/2020] [Accepted: 03/14/2020] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
The progressive rise in Canadian child obesity has paralleled trends in unhealthy food consumption. Industry has contributed to these trends through aggressive food and beverage marketing in various media and child settings. This study aimed to assess the extent of food and beverage advertising on television in Canada and compare the frequency of food advertising broadcasted during programs targeted to preschoolers, children, adolescents and adults. Annual advertising from 2018 was drawn from publicly available television program logs. Food and beverage advertisement rates and frequencies were compared by, target age group, television station, month and food category, using linear regression modelling and chi-square tests, in SAS version 9.4. Rates of food and beverage advertising differed significantly between the four target age groups, and varied significantly by television station and time of the year, in 2018. The proportion of advertisements for food and beverage products was significantly greater during preschooler-, child-, and adult-programming [5432 (54%), 142,451 (74%) and 2,886,628 (48%), respectively; p < 0.0001] compared to adolescent-programming [27,268 (42%)]. The proportion of advertisements promoting fast food was significantly greater among adolescent-programming [33,475 (51%), p < 0.0001] compared to other age groups. Legislation restricting food and beverage advertising is needed in Canada as current self-regulatory practices are failing to protect young people from unhealthy food advertising and its potential negative health effects.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Monique Potvin Kent
- School of Epidemiology and Public Health, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON K1G 5Z3, Canada
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