Elimination of the

Marketing of
Unhealthy Foods to
Children
A New Nutrition Policy

Jamie Miller
NUFD 590-91

What Is The Problem At

Hand?
Childhood obesity has more than doubled in
children and quadrupled in adolescence in the
past 30 years.

In 2012, more than 1/3 of children and

adolescents were overweight or obese.

Overweight and obesity are the result of caloric

imbalance too few calories expended for the
amount of calories consumed and are affected
by various genetic, behavioral and
environmental factors.
CDC.gov

Immediate/Long-Term Health
Risks of Childhood Obesity
More likely to have high cholesterol and/or high
blood pressure risk factors for cardiovascular
disease.

More likely to have pre-diabetes (blood glucose

levels indicate a high risk for development of
diabetes.)

Greater risk for bone and joint problems, sleep

apnea, and social and psychological problems such
as poor self esteem.

Obesity into adolescence and adulthood, resulting in

increased risk for health problems such as
cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, stroke,
cancer, and more.

Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance

System (YRBSS) 2013 Data
United States high school students (all grade
levels and races/ethnicities)
77.7% drank a can, bottle, or glass of soda or pop
during the 7 days before the survey.
27% drank a can, bottle, or glass of soda or pop
once or more daily.
19.4% did not drink milk during the 7 days before
the survey.
6.6% did not eat vegetables during the 7 days
before the survey.
16.6% were overweight.
13.7% were obese.

Factors Influencing Childrens

Diet and Physical Activity
Family
Communities
Schools/Child Care Centers
Medical Care Providers
The Media
Food and Beverage Industries
Entertainment Industries

Marketing Food to
Children
In the United States, more than 98% of the television food
ads seen by children and 89% of those seen by adolescents
are for products high in fat, sugar, and/or sodium
(Harris, 2009).

In addition to computer and Internet access, children

increasingly possess mobile phones, music/video players, and
other handheld devices, allowing almost continuous
exposure to advertising in different forms (Jain, 2010)

The food and beverage industry spends approximately 2

billion dollars per year marketing to children; the fast food
industry spends more than 5 million dollars every day
marketing unhealthy foods to children (Prevention Institute,
2010)

The Facts About Food

Marketing
The food industry spends $15 billion per year on marketing
and advertising to children, twice the amount spent a decade
before.

Since 1994, U.S. companies have introduced over 600 new

childrens food products.

A recent study showed that the majority of cereals marketed to

children (66%) did not meet national nutrition standards
and were especially high in energy, sugar and sodium when
compared to cereals marketed to adults.

A recent study assessing the typical Saturday morning childrens

programming showed that of the ads promoting food products,
43% fell in the fats, oils, and sweets group, fast-food
restaurant advertising accounted for 11% of the
advertisements, and there were no advertisements for fruits
and vegetables.

American Heart Association

The Prevention Institute

How Can This Problem Be

Solved?

Policy Statement
To eliminate the marketing of unhealthy food items to
children in an attempt to lower the rates of childhood
obesity in the United States.

Section 1: Short Title

This act may be cited as the Kids Eat Healthy Act (2015)

Section 2: Monitoring of Advertisements Aimed Toward

Children
The Federal Trade Commission will disallow the
commercial advertisement of energy dense, empty calorie
snacks and beverages during childrens programming. Any
advertisement for such food items or related
establishments should not be deliberately targeted at
children and should not be aired on television until after
11:00 PM.

Policy Statement
Continued
Section 3: Supermarket Regulations
Checkout lanes should not contain candy, chips, or other snack
foods that are energy dense and have little to no nutritional
value. Sugary cereals and beverages, snack foods high in
saturated fat and sodium, and heavily processed food items
should not be placed within the reach of children or at their eye
level. Placing these food items solely within the reach of adults
ensures that the decision to purchase these products is entirely
their own and not the result of their children persuading them.

Section 4: Marketing Using Characters

Licensed characters should only be used on nutritious food
items rather than those that are energy dense but lacking in
important nutrients. Similarly, toys should not be used as a way
to promote the sales of unhealthy kids meals at restaurants.

for
Regulation/Surveillance
Federal Trade Commission (FTC)
Federal Communications Commission (FCC)
Childrens Advertising Review Unit (CARU)
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
World Health Organization (WHO)
Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System (YRBSS)
National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey
(NHANES)

PACT Nutrition Program

Parents And Children Together
Website based program to prevent childhood obesity
as well as promote healthy eating for the whole family
Educational material for parents regarding proper
nutrition for themselves and their families
Fun, interactive games and activities for children that
teach the importance of healthy eating and encourage
physical activity
Recipes for the whole family and tips for incorporating
more fruits and vegetables into meals
Parents can communicate with each other and share
ideas, experiences, and things they may be struggling
with
Monthly events held in various locations with healthy
foods, sports tournaments, exercise classes, and more.

Questions To Be Added To
Surveillance
How many times a week do you eat at fast food
restaurants?

When a new snack food or candy comes out, how do

you hear about it?

Do you get breakfast and/or lunch from school or

does a parent or guardian pack it for you?

When you go to the supermarket with your parent or

guardian, does he or she let you pick your own
snacks and drinks?

Do your parents encourage you to try healthy foods?

How many times a week do you exercise or play
outside?

References
Childhood Obesity Facts. (2015, April 24). Retrieved June 3, 2015, from
http://www.cdc.gov/healthyyouth/obesity/facts.htm
Harris, J., Pomeranz, J., Lobstein, T., & Brownell, K. (2009). A crisis in the
marketplace: how food marketing contributes to childhood obesity and what
can be done. Annual Review Of Public Health
Jain, A. (2010). Temptations in cyberspace: New battlefields in childhood
obesity. Health Affairs, 29(3), 425-9. Retrieved from
http://search.proquest.com/docview/204621212?accountid=12536
The Facts On Junk Food Marketing and Kids. (2010). Retrieved June 3, 2015,
from
http://www.preventioninstitute.org/focus-areas/supporting-healthy-food-a-acti
vity/supporting-healthy-food-and-activity-environments-advocacy/get-involvedwere-not-buying-it/735-were-not-buying-it-the-facts-on-junk-food-marketing-an
dkids.html
Policy Position Statement on Food Advertising and Marketing Practices to
Children. (2012, April 13). Retrieved June 3, 2015.