Barriers and enablers in designing regulations to restrict the exposure of children to unhealthy food and beverage marketing (original) (raw)
Related papers
Governmental policies to reduce unhealthy food marketing to children: A narrative review
Nutrition Reviews, 2019
Abstract: Reducing children's exposure to food marketing is an important obesity prevention strategy. This narrative review describes current statutory regulations that restrict food marketing; reviews available evidence on the effects of these regulations; and compares policy design elements in Chile and the United Kingdom. Currently, 16 countries have statutory regulations on unhealthy food marketing to children. Restrictions on television advertising, primarily during children's programming, are most common. Schools are also a common setting for restrictions. Regulations on media such as cinema, mobile phone applications, print, packaging, and the inter-net are uncommon. Eleven evaluations of policies in 4 jurisdictions found small or no policy-related reductions in unhealthy food advertising, in part because marketing shifted to other programs or venues; however, not all policies have been evaluated. Compared with the United Kingdom, Chile restricts marketing on more products, across a wider range of media, using more marketing techniques. Future research should examine which elements of food marketing policy design are most effective at reducing children's exposure to unhealthy food marketing. Citation: Taillie, L. S., Busey, E., Mediano Stoltze, F., & Dillman Carpentier, F. R. (2019). Governmental policies to reduce unhealthy food marketing to children: A narrative review. Nutrition Reviews, 77(11), 787-816.
Governmental policies to reduce unhealthy food marketing to children
Nutrition Reviews, 2019
Reducing children’s exposure to food marketing is an important obesity prevention strategy. This narrative review describes current statutory regulations that restrict food marketing; reviews available evidence on the effects of these regulations; and compares policy design elements in Chile and the United Kingdom. Currently, 16 countries have statutory regulations on unhealthy food marketing to children. Restrictions on television advertising, primarily during children’s programming, are most common. Schools are also a common setting for restrictions. Regulations on media such as cinema, mobile phone applications, print, packaging, and the internet are uncommon. Eleven evaluations of policies in 4 jurisdictions found small or no policy-related reductions in unhealthy food advertising, in part because marketing shifted to other programs or venues; however, not all policies have been evaluated. Compared with the United Kingdom, Chile restricts marketing on more products, across a wid...
In May 2010, 192 Member States endorsed Resolution WHA63.14 to restrict the marketing of food and non-alcoholic beverage (F&B) products high in saturated fats, trans fats, free sugars and salt (HFSS) to children and adolescents globally. We examine actions taken between 2010 and early 2016 by the World Health Organization (WHO) and its regional offices, other United Nations System organizations, transnational industry actors and civil society groups to help halt and reverse obesity and diet-related non-communicable disease (NCD) rates among young people worldwide. The evidence compiled suggests that the WHO and other United Nations System organizations demonstrated leadership to protect young people from branded HFSS F&B product marketing by providing technical and policy guidance and tools to national governments in Member States during the review period. Progress was less robust and varied among national governments, transnational industry actors, health philanthropies and civil society organizations. We suggest priority strategies and actions for diverse actors to accelerate progress to fully implement Resolution WHA63.14 by restricting and shifting the marketing of harmful branded HFSS F&B products to nutrient-dense F&B products to help young people meet government-recommended dietary targets. Successful strategies and actions will align with the goal to reduce NCDs by 25 percent by 2025 and the United Nations System’s Sustainable Development Goal to ensure healthy lives for all by 2030.
BMC Public Health, 2012
Background: In Australia there have been many calls for government action to halt the effects of unhealthy food marketing on children's health, yet implementation has not occurred. The attitudes of those involved in the policy-making process towards regulatory intervention governing unhealthy food marketing are not well understood. The objective of this research was to understand the perceptions of senior representatives from Australian state and territory governments, statutory authorities and non-government organisations regarding the feasibility of state-level government regulation of television marketing of unhealthy food to children in Australia.
Nutrition & Dietetics, 2010
Aim: Any regulation of food marketing to children requires clear definitions of the types of foods considered inappropriate and subject to restrictions. The aim of this research was to examine the commitments made by signatory companies of the Australian Food and Grocery Council's Responsible Marketing to Children Initiative regarding the types of foods considered appropriate for marketing to children. Methods: Nutrient criteria developed by signatory food companies were examined by comparing (i) thresholds set for negative nutrients (saturated fats, added sugars and sodium) and total energy to two existing nutrient criteria: Healthy Kids Association and the National Heart Foundation Tick, and (ii) the types of foods considered appropriate for marketing to children, if applying companies' commitments or the product's nutrient profile using the Food Standards Australia and New Zealand nutrient profiling tool. Results: All five company-developed nutrient criteria examined specified higher thresholds for negative nutrients compared with existing criteria, and were more likely to report negative nutrients per serve rather than per 100 g. When applying company commitments, 57% more energy-dense, nutrient-poor foods and beverages were considered appropriate for marketing to children, compared with nutrient profiling. Conclusion: Food industry commitments regarding the types of foods considered appropriate for marketing to children do not adequately restrict the marketing for energy-dense, nutrient-poor foods. It is recommended food manufacturers who commit to restricting their marketing of unhealthy foods to children use a standardised, independent nutrient profiling tool based on per 100 g/100 mL to determine the appropriateness of foods and beverages for marketing to children.
Nutrition Reviews, 2009
The Institute of Medicine reported in 2005 that food and beverage marketing to children and youth is "out of balance with healthful diets". The dominant policy response in the United States has been to encourage self-regulation by the food, beverage, advertising, and media industries. From a nutrition perspective, this deference to the private sector may seem surprising. This article reviews current economic and legal perspectives on food marketing to children that are motivating the policy decision to attempt a period of self-regulation. The empirical literature on this topic has been reinvigorated by new data on marketing practices and expenditures. The article concludes by considering whether more directive policies are possible in the future.
The case for and against the regulation of food marketing directed towards children
2012
Authoritative and comprehensive reviews of studies on the nature and extent of food marketing to children indicate that children are exposed to high levels of food marketing and that the 'marketed diet' typically comprises energy-dense, micronutrient-poor foods. However, the implication of causality between marketing, product exposures and childhood obesity is not universally accepted. A vigorous discussion rages about appropriate policy responses to children's exposure to food marketing. The advocacy by many health and consumer groups for tighter government restrictions on food marketing is juxtaposed to the views held by many in the food and advertising industries. Pivotal in this debate is the role of evidence in policy decisions and the appropriateness of industry self-regulation versus government intervention in food marketing. This chapter will explore the dietary and health implications of children's exposure to unhealthy food marketing and present arguments for and against regulations to restrict this marketing.
Food Advertising to Children: Quest for the Right Regulatory Recipe
Advertising’s role in child obesity rates is a concern in the United States (U.S.) and worldwide (e.g., Burros 2005; Sciolino 2006), but a remedy is complex. Regulations that both protect children and allow the marketplace to function are problematic. Regulation in most countries are a blend of laws and industry self-regulations.. The European Union (E.U.), especially is a unique challenge since such laws must apply uniformly to diverse Member Nations (Goa 2005). And the E.U. can issue only Directives, rather than laws, to guide Member Nations in writing their own laws. This can lead to a lack of uniformity from jurisdiction to jurisdiction across the E.U., and even more so around the world. Most countries, though, permit greater restriction on advertising aimed at children than on adult-directed ads. Consequently, numerous proposals are being offered and efforts are being made to curtail perceived advertising effects on children’s dietary habits. This paper looks at those proposals and the laws currently on the books in the U.S. and E.U., along with the potential for effectively addressing this health problem. We will start by looking at the divergent approaches taken in these two parts of the world.
8 The case for and against the regulation of food marketing directed towards children
Authoritative and comprehensive reviews of studies on the nature and extent of food marketing to children indicate that children are exposed to high levels of food marketing and that the 'marketed diet' typically comprises energy-dense, micronutrient-poor foods. However, the implication of causality between marketing, product exposures and childhood obesity is not universally accepted. A vigorous discussion rages about appropriate policy responses to children's exposure to food marketing. The advocacy by many health and consumer groups for tighter government restrictions on food marketing is juxtaposed to the views held by many in the food and advertising industries. Pivotal in this debate is the role of evidence in policy decisions and the appropriateness of industry self-regulation versus government intervention in food marketing. This chapter will explore the dietary and health implications of children's exposure to unhealthy food marketing and present arguments for and against regulations to restrict this marketing.