Comparing Latin American nutrient profile models using data from packaged foods with child-directed marketing within the Brazilian food supply

OBJECTIVES

This study aimed to examine and compare the extent to which different nutrient profile models (NPMs) from Latin America (LA) identify packaged foods and beverages with child-directed marketing sold in Brazil as being high in nutrients associated to the risk of non-communicable diseases (NCDs).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

In this cross-sectional study, we evaluated 3,464 foods found in the five largest Brazilian supermarkets. Child-directed marketing was coded using the International Network for Food and Obesity/NCDs Research, Monitoring and Action Support (INFORMAS) protocol. Differences in medians of sugar, saturated fats, and sodium per 100 kcal in foods, with the presence and absence of child-directed marketing, were tested using the Mann-Whitney test. We compared six NPMs in LA and examined to what extent they targeted these products using prevalence ratios. Analyses were performed overall and by the degree of food processing according to the Nova food classification.

RESULTS

We found 1,054 packages with child-directed marketing. Among these, candies, cakes and pies, sauces and creams, and sugar-sweetened beverages were significantly higher in sugar, saturated fat, and sodium per 100 kcal than products that are not targeted at children (p < 0.05). Compared with PAHO and the Mexico models, the Brazilian NPMs would allow three times more ultra-processed foods to omit warnings for sodium (p < 0.05). The Uruguayan NPM also flagged fewer ultra-processed foods high in sodium (p < 0.05). The Brazilian model also allows four times more sugar-sweetened beverages and six times more dairy drinks to omit warnings for sugar than the Mexico and PAHO models. In comparison to all other NPMs, the Brazilian model showed the worst performance in identifying baked goods as high in sodium. Chile, Uruguay, and Peru models would also target significantly less sugar-sweetened beverages and high in at least one critical nutrient than PAHO and Mexico models.

CONCLUSION

Compared with other NPMs in LA, the NPM criteria adopted in Brazil are more permissive and less likely to inform consumers of the poor nutritional quality of ultra-processed foods and beverages with child-directed marketing.

Adults' Exposure to Unhealthy Food and Beverage Marketing: A Multi-Country Study in Australia, Canada, Mexico, the United Kingdom, and the United States

BACKGROUND

Food marketing increases product appeal, purchasing, and consumption, using diverse strategies and locations to reach consumers.

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this study was to examine differences in adults' self-reported exposure to various marketing strategies (brand and licensed characters, celebrities, and sponsorship of sports and cultural events) and locations (television, radio, and digital media) across 5 countries: Australia, Canada, Mexico, the United Kingdom, and the United States.

METHODS

We analyzed cross-sectional survey data on self-reported exposure to food marketing strategies and locations collected in 2018 by the International Food Policy Study. Participants (n = 21,678) aged ≥18 years completed an online survey. Exposures to unhealthy food marketing strategies and locations in the prior 30 days were self-reported. Regression models examined differences in marketing exposure and locations across countries.

RESULTS

The average number of unhealthy food marketing strategies to which participants reported being exposed ranged from 0.5 in the United Kingdom to 2.3 in Mexico. Self-reported exposure to strategies across all countries was highest for brand characters (32%), followed by licensed characters (22%). In total, the reported mean exposure of marketing locations was 1.6 in the prior month. Television was the most prevalent location (44%), followed by digital marketing (32%). Adjusted models indicated that the odds of reporting exposure to marketing strategies and marketing locations were higher for Mexico compared to the rest of the countries.

CONCLUSIONS

Adults report a variety of exposures to unhealthy food marketing in all countries, but exposure was highest in Mexico. Special attention should be paid to regulating marketing strategies, such as brand characters and licensed characters, and locations, such as television and digital marketing.

Digital Promotion of Energy Drinks to Young Adults Is More Strongly Linked to Consumption Than Other Media

OBJECTIVE

To examine whether digital marketing strategies are more strongly associated with energy drink use than other marketing and whether Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) constructs mediated the effects of digital marketing on energy drink use.

DESIGN

A cross-sectional online survey using the TPB was administered in 2016.

SETTING

Illawarra region of New South Wales, Australia.

PARTICIPANTS

A total of 359 young adults aged 18-24 years completed the survey. Participants were mainly students.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Relative impacts of digital and other marketing on energy drink use and the mediating effects of TPB constructs: attitudes, subjective norm, and perceived behavioral control.

ANALYSIS

Stepwise regression analysis was employed to compare the effects on energy drink use from digital and other marketing. Mediation analysis was used to examine the mediating effects of the TPB constructs.

RESULTS

Digital marketing was more strongly associated than other marketing with young adults' energy drink use. Attitudes, subjective norms, and perceived behavioral control mediated the effects of digital marketing on energy drink use.

CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS

The marketing of unhealthy food and beverages such as energy drink products on the Internet requires greater scrutiny. Future interventions may focus on strategies to attenuate young adults' attitudes toward energy drinks, denormalize energy drink use, and strengthening self-efficacy to reject energy drinks among this age group.