Food Advertisement and Marketing Policies Aimed at Reducing Childhood Obesity: A Review of Existing Regulations in High-Income Countries

ObjectivesTo identify and evaluate the difference between voluntary and mandatory food marketing policies and regulations targeting childhood obesity and to study the role of media, the food industry, and private associations in implementing such policies.MethodsA review of policies and legislation...

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Main Authors: Rida Khan, L. Suzanne Suggs, Afifa Tanweer, Gábor Bányai
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Frontiers Media S.A. 2024-12-01
Series:Public Health Reviews
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.ssph-journal.org/articles/10.3389/phrs.2024.1607103/full
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author Rida Khan
Rida Khan
L. Suzanne Suggs
Afifa Tanweer
Gábor Bányai
author_facet Rida Khan
Rida Khan
L. Suzanne Suggs
Afifa Tanweer
Gábor Bányai
author_sort Rida Khan
collection DOAJ
description ObjectivesTo identify and evaluate the difference between voluntary and mandatory food marketing policies and regulations targeting childhood obesity and to study the role of media, the food industry, and private associations in implementing such policies.MethodsA review of policies and legislation about unhealthy food marketing was conducted by searching and extracting relevant grey literature from the websites of international health agencies, food marketing pledge databases, GINA, and NOURISHING policy databases. Statutory laws and self-regulations of high-income countries were compared with each other and with the WHO recommendations.ResultsRegulations differ regarding target audience, nutrient profiling, communication media, and marketing techniques. To date, no country has implemented comprehensive regulations restricting all forms of unhealthy food marketing. Statutory laws are more meticulous and rigorous than self-regulatory policies.ConclusionThe goal of reducing childhood obesity through restrictions on unhealthy food advertising has not been met. While not welcomed by all actors, mandatory regulations may be more effective than voluntary measures in reaching this goal. A system for monitoring adherence to regulations and providing both incentives and penalties for violations is warranted.
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series Public Health Reviews
spelling doaj-art-e01344ad80d847e4b14d7cd06c41f2902024-12-20T04:11:11ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Public Health Reviews2107-69522024-12-014510.3389/phrs.2024.16071031607103Food Advertisement and Marketing Policies Aimed at Reducing Childhood Obesity: A Review of Existing Regulations in High-Income CountriesRida Khan0Rida Khan1L. Suzanne Suggs2Afifa Tanweer3Gábor Bányai4Institute of Health Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Debrecen, Debrecen, Hajdu-Bihar, HungaryInstitute of Communication and Public Policy, Faculty of Communication, Culture and Society, University of Lugano, Lugano, SwitzerlandInstitute of Communication and Public Policy, Faculty of Communication, Culture and Society, University of Lugano, Lugano, SwitzerlandDepartment of Nutrition and Dietetics, School of Health Sciences, University of Management and Technology, Lahore, Punjab, PakistanInstitute of Health Economics and Management, Faculty of Economics and Business, University of Debrecen, Debrecen, Hajdu-Bihar, HungaryObjectivesTo identify and evaluate the difference between voluntary and mandatory food marketing policies and regulations targeting childhood obesity and to study the role of media, the food industry, and private associations in implementing such policies.MethodsA review of policies and legislation about unhealthy food marketing was conducted by searching and extracting relevant grey literature from the websites of international health agencies, food marketing pledge databases, GINA, and NOURISHING policy databases. Statutory laws and self-regulations of high-income countries were compared with each other and with the WHO recommendations.ResultsRegulations differ regarding target audience, nutrient profiling, communication media, and marketing techniques. To date, no country has implemented comprehensive regulations restricting all forms of unhealthy food marketing. Statutory laws are more meticulous and rigorous than self-regulatory policies.ConclusionThe goal of reducing childhood obesity through restrictions on unhealthy food advertising has not been met. While not welcomed by all actors, mandatory regulations may be more effective than voluntary measures in reaching this goal. A system for monitoring adherence to regulations and providing both incentives and penalties for violations is warranted.https://www.ssph-journal.org/articles/10.3389/phrs.2024.1607103/fullfoodadvertisementmarketingchildhoodobesity
spellingShingle Rida Khan
Rida Khan
L. Suzanne Suggs
Afifa Tanweer
Gábor Bányai
Food Advertisement and Marketing Policies Aimed at Reducing Childhood Obesity: A Review of Existing Regulations in High-Income Countries
Public Health Reviews
food
advertisement
marketing
childhood
obesity
title Food Advertisement and Marketing Policies Aimed at Reducing Childhood Obesity: A Review of Existing Regulations in High-Income Countries
title_full Food Advertisement and Marketing Policies Aimed at Reducing Childhood Obesity: A Review of Existing Regulations in High-Income Countries
title_fullStr Food Advertisement and Marketing Policies Aimed at Reducing Childhood Obesity: A Review of Existing Regulations in High-Income Countries
title_full_unstemmed Food Advertisement and Marketing Policies Aimed at Reducing Childhood Obesity: A Review of Existing Regulations in High-Income Countries
title_short Food Advertisement and Marketing Policies Aimed at Reducing Childhood Obesity: A Review of Existing Regulations in High-Income Countries
title_sort food advertisement and marketing policies aimed at reducing childhood obesity a review of existing regulations in high income countries
topic food
advertisement
marketing
childhood
obesity
url https://www.ssph-journal.org/articles/10.3389/phrs.2024.1607103/full
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