Lisa G Smithers1, Dandara G Haag1, Benjamin Agnew1,2, John Lynch1,3, Matthew Sorell2. 1. School of Public Health and the Robinson Research Institute, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia. 2. School of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia. 3. School of Social and Community Medicine, University of Bristol, Bristol, United Kingdom.
Abstract
AIM: To estimate the frequency, duration and monthly pattern of discretionary food advertising on Australian free-to-air television. METHODS: We logged 30 000 h of television collected in Adelaide during 2016 from one network that has four channels. The Australian Guide to Healthy Eating was used to identify discretionary foods. Data were examined according to all times, to children's peak viewing times (PVTs) and to when C-(children's) rated programmes may be broadcast. RESULTS: Of the >800 000 advertisements logged during 2016, 11% were for foods (n = 97 837). The most frequently advertised products were: snack foods (e.g. crisps), crumbed/battered meats, fast foods/take away meals and sweetened beverages. The frequency and duration of discretionary food advertising was 1.7 times/h and 0.5 min/h respectively at all times. During children's PVTs, the frequency and duration of discretionary food advertising was 2.3 times/h and 0.7 min/h, respectively. When C-rated programmes can be broadcast, the frequency and duration of discretionary food advertising was 1.8 times/h and 0.6 min/h, respectively. Across the year, discretionary foods ranged between 41% (August) and 71% (January) of all food advertising. CONCLUSIONS: Discretionary foods dominate food advertising. On average, discretionary food advertising was higher during PVTs for children and during the summer school holidays (January).
AIM: To estimate the frequency, duration and monthly pattern of discretionary food advertising on Australian free-to-air television. METHODS: We logged 30 000 h of television collected in Adelaide during 2016 from one network that has four channels. The Australian Guide to Healthy Eating was used to identify discretionary foods. Data were examined according to all times, to children's peak viewing times (PVTs) and to when C-(children's) rated programmes may be broadcast. RESULTS: Of the >800 000 advertisements logged during 2016, 11% were for foods (n = 97 837). The most frequently advertised products were: snack foods (e.g. crisps), crumbed/battered meats, fast foods/take away meals and sweetened beverages. The frequency and duration of discretionary food advertising was 1.7 times/h and 0.5 min/h respectively at all times. During children's PVTs, the frequency and duration of discretionary food advertising was 2.3 times/h and 0.7 min/h, respectively. When C-rated programmes can be broadcast, the frequency and duration of discretionary food advertising was 1.8 times/h and 0.6 min/h, respectively. Across the year, discretionary foods ranged between 41% (August) and 71% (January) of all food advertising. CONCLUSIONS: Discretionary foods dominate food advertising. On average, discretionary food advertising was higher during PVTs for children and during the summer school holidays (January).
Authors: Annika Molenaar; Wei Yee Saw; Linda Brennan; Mike Reid; Megan S C Lim; Tracy A McCaffrey Journal: Nutrients Date: 2021-06-04 Impact factor: 5.717