F Fleming-Milici1, J L Harris1. 1. Rudd Center for Food Policy and Obesity, University of Connecticut, Hartford, CT, USA.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Public health experts raise concerns about adolescents' and black youth's greater exposure to TV advertising for unhealthy foods and beverages compared with children and white youth. OBJECTIVES: Examine how television-viewing patterns and rates of advertising during targeted programming contribute to this greater exposure. METHODS: Nielsen panel data provided viewing times and amount of food advertising viewed on U.S. television in 2008 and 2012. Researchers compared results by network type (black-, child- and youth-targeted), age group (preschoolers, children and adolescents) and race (black and white youth). RESULTS: Food advertising exposure increased with age for both black and white youth, but black youth viewed approximately 50% or more ads than did white youth of the same age. Higher rates of food advertising on youth-targeted networks explained greater adolescent exposure. However, greater television viewing and higher rates of advertising on youth- and black-targeted networks both contributed to black youth's greater exposure. From 2008 to 2012, increases in food-ads-per-hour increased exposure for all youth. CONCLUSIONS: Food advertisers and networks, especially those targeting adolescents and black youth, must do more to reduce advertising that negatively impacts young people's health. Furthermore, reducing commercial-television viewing by black youth may help reduce health disparities affecting their communities.
BACKGROUND: Public health experts raise concerns about adolescents' and black youth's greater exposure to TV advertising for unhealthy foods and beverages compared with children and white youth. OBJECTIVES: Examine how television-viewing patterns and rates of advertising during targeted programming contribute to this greater exposure. METHODS: Nielsen panel data provided viewing times and amount of food advertising viewed on U.S. television in 2008 and 2012. Researchers compared results by network type (black-, child- and youth-targeted), age group (preschoolers, children and adolescents) and race (black and white youth). RESULTS: Food advertising exposure increased with age for both black and white youth, but black youth viewed approximately 50% or more ads than did white youth of the same age. Higher rates of food advertising on youth-targeted networks explained greater adolescent exposure. However, greater television viewing and higher rates of advertising on youth- and black-targeted networks both contributed to black youth's greater exposure. From 2008 to 2012, increases in food-ads-per-hour increased exposure for all youth. CONCLUSIONS: Food advertisers and networks, especially those targeting adolescents and black youth, must do more to reduce advertising that negatively impacts young people's health. Furthermore, reducing commercial-television viewing by black youth may help reduce health disparities affecting their communities.
Authors: Jennifer A Emond; Meghan R Longacre; Keith M Drake; Linda J Titus; Kristy Hendricks; Todd MacKenzie; Jennifer L Harris; Jennifer E Carroll; Lauren P Cleveland; Gail Langeloh; Madeline A Dalton Journal: Am J Prev Med Date: 2018-12-17 Impact factor: 5.043
Authors: Jennifer A Emond; Meghan R Longacre; Keith M Drake; Linda J Titus; Kristy Hendricks; Todd MacKenzie; Jennifer L Harris; Jennifer E Carroll; Lauren P Cleveland; Kelly Gaynor; Madeline A Dalton Journal: Appetite Date: 2019-05-09 Impact factor: 3.868
Authors: Juliana F W Cohen; Kristen Cooksey Stowers; Marlaina Rohmann; Nicole Lapierre; Eric B Rimm; Sean B Cash; Kirsten K Davison; Kyle McInnis; Christina D Economos Journal: Am J Prev Med Date: 2021-05-11 Impact factor: 6.604
Authors: Mary O Hearst; Jade Yang; Samantha Friedrichsen; Kathleen Lenk; Caitlin Caspi; Melissa N Laska Journal: Int J Environ Res Public Health Date: 2021-05-10 Impact factor: 3.390