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Cited by 263Obesity, Physical Activity, DietNutrition, Health and Food BehaviorConsumer Attitudes and Food Labeling

Nutritional Content of Television Food Advertisements Seen by Children and Adolescents in the United States

Powell, Lisa M., Szczypka, Glen, Chaloupka, Frank J., Braunschweig, Carol L.·2007·Pediatrics
DOI 10.1542/peds.2006-3595
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Abstract

OBJECTIVE. In light of the high rates of child and adolescent obesity, we examined the nutritional content of food advertising seen by American children and adolescents. METHODS. We drew samples of top-rated television shows by using ratings data to examine the nutritional content for fat, saturated fat, sugar, sodium, and fiber of food-product advertisements seen on television by both children and adolescents. Food products were examined in aggregate and by 5 separate categories that included cereal, sweets, snacks, drinks, and other food products. For 2- to 11-year-olds and 12- to 17-year-olds, respectively, a sample of 50351 and 47955 30-second-equivalent food-product advertisements and their related nutritional content were weighted by television ratings data to provide actual exposure measures of the nutritional content of food advertising seen by children and adolescents. RESULTS. Study results showed that 97.8% and 89.4% of food-product advertisements viewed by children 2 to 11 years old and adolescents 12 to 17 years old, respectively, were high in fat, sugar, or sodium. On average, 46.1% and 49.1% of total calories among the products advertised came from sugar in the advertisements seen by these respective age groups. A total of 97.6% of cereal advertisements seen by children 2 to 11 years old were for high-sugar cereals. No substantial differences were found in the nutritional content of advertisements seen by black and white children 2 to 11 years old. However, a slightly higher proportion of food advertisements in general and across all food-product categories seen by black versus white adolescents were for high-sugar products. CONCLUSION. The overwhelming majority of food-product advertisements seen on television by American children and adolescents are of poor nutritional content.

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  • In a review of about 98,000 food-product advertisements on top-rated US children's television shows, 98% and 89% of the advertised foods seen by viewers 2 to 11 years of age and 12 to 17 years of age, respectively, were packaged or processed foods that were high in fat, sugar, or sodium.

    “For example, in a review of ≈98,000 food-product advertisements on top-rated US children’s television shows, 98% and 89% of the advertised foods seen by viewers 2 to 11 years of age and 12 to 17 years of age, respectively, were packaged or processed foods that were high in fat, sugar, or sodium.”

    From Population Approaches to Improve Diet, Physical Activity, and Smoking Habits: A Scientific Statement From the American Heart Association (2012) · cites this paper as [390]

  • The IOM committee as well as other recent analyses concluded that food and beverage marketing practices geared to children and youth are out of balance with recommended healthful diets and contribute to an environment that puts their health at risk.

    “The IOM committee as well as other recent analyses also concluded that food and beverage marketing practices geared to children and youth are out of balance with recommended healthful diets and contribute to an environment that puts their health at risk.”

    From Population Approaches to Improve Diet, Physical Activity, and Smoking Habits: A Scientific Statement From the American Heart Association (2012) · cites this paper as [390]

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Authors
Powell, L. M., Szczypka, G., Chaloupka, F. J., & Braunschweig, C. L.
Affiliations
  • Institute for Health Research and Policy and Departments of
  • University of Illinois Chicago (US)
Corresponding author
Szczypka, Glen
ORCID
Venue
Pediatrics
Publisher
American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP)
Published
2007-09-01
Volume
120
Issue
3
Pages
576-583
ISSN
  • 0031-4005 (ISSN-L)
  • 1098-4275
DOI
10.1542/peds.2006-3595
OpenAlex
W2095947193
Cited by
263
References
41
Citations by year
2026: 4 · 2025: 4 · 2024: 1 · 2023: 5 · 2022: 6 · 2021: 13 · 2020: 11 · 2019: 8 · 2018: 9 · 2017: 10 · 2016: 18 · 2015: 24 · 2014: 25 · 2013: 21 · 2012: 17
FWCI
21.28
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Locations
  • PEDIATRICS (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Funders
Robert Wood Johnson Foundation
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health › Obesity, Physical Activity, Diet
  • Health Sciences › Nursing › Nutrition and Dietetics › Nutrition, Health and Food Behavior
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health › Consumer Attitudes and Food Labeling
Keywords
television food advertising, adolescents, sugar content, saturated fat, sodium, fibers, cereal advertising, childhood obesity, media influence on eating behavior
MeSH terms
Adolescent, Advertising, Child, Child, Preschool, Food, Humans, Nutritive Value, Television, United States

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