Kids seeing fewer ads for unhealthy foods
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* Kim Krisberg

In good news for children’s health, kids are viewing less food-related advertising since a voluntary industry initiative to reduce such exposure took off in 2007.

In new findings from the University of Connecticut’s Rudd Center for Food Policy and Obesity, presented in November at APHA’s 2017 Annual Meeting and Expo in Atlanta, researchers found that youth exposure to all food-related advertising — from both food companies participating in the Children’s Food and Beverage Advertising Initiative and those not participating — dropped by 4 percent for children ages 2 to 5, by 11 percent among kids ages 6 to 11 and by 14 percent for young adolescents and teens ages 12 to 14. According to researchers, the changes are attributable to less food advertising by companies taking part in the initiative as well as less TV-viewing time among children in all age groups.

The Children’s Food and Beverage Advertising Initiative is made up of 18 food and beverage companies, including McDonald’s, Coca-Cola, General Mills and Conagra Brands, that have committed to only advertise food to children that meets certain nutrition standards.

The Rudd Center study found that the number of children visiting websites of initiative participants that promoted children’s food brands in 2009 declined by 80 percent or more, while four of the most popular websites no longer exist. Most children’s food brands sponsor social media accounts.

“Children continue to view thousands of TV ads per year for unhealthy food and drinks, including ads for candy, snacks, sugary drinks and fast food that target them directly,” said APHA member Jennifer Harris, director of marketing initiatives at the center and lead author of the study, in a news release.

For a copy of the study findings, visit [www.uconnruddcenter.org](http://www.uconnruddcenter.org).

*   Copyright The Nation’s Health, American Public Health Association