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Open Access 01-12-2024 | Obesity | Research

Differences in children’s exposure to television advertising of unhealthy foods and beverages in Spain by socio-economic level

Authors: Miguel Ángel Royo-Bordonada, Cristina Cavero-Esponera, María Mar Romero-Fernández, Cristina González-Díaz, Elena Ordaz Castillo

Published in: BMC Public Health | Issue 1/2024

Abstract

Background

The influence of food advertising on food preferences and consumption could also contribute to the socio-economic inequalities among Spanish children in terms of eating habits and childhood obesity. Although the main food advertising channel targeted at children in Spain is television, available studies estimate exposure indirectly by combining content data with audience data. The aim of this study was therefore to describe the frequency of exposure to television advertising of unhealthy foods and drinks, measured directly, among Spanish children and adolescents, and analyse its socio-economic inequalities.

Methods

Observational study of television advertising impacts in a sample of 1590 children aged 4 to 16 years drawn from a consumer panel representative of the Spanish population in this age group, over the course of a full week of broadcasting in February 2022. The sample was obtained through stratified random sampling by Autonomous Region, with quotas being set by reference to socio-demographic variables. Exposure was measured with an audiometer, and the nutrient content of the food and drink advertised was analysed using the nutrient profile of the WHO Regional Office for Europe. We used the Chi-squared test to analyse possible differences in advertising coverage by socio-economic level.

Results

The participants saw a weekly mean of 82.4 food and drink commercials, 67.4 of which were for unhealthy products (81.8%), mostly outside the child-protection time slot. On average, low-social class participants received 94.4% more impacts from unhealthy food and drink advertising than did high-class participants (99.9 vs. 51.4 respectively). The mean advertising coverage of unhealthy foods and drinks was 71.6% higher in low-class than in high-class participants (10.9% vs. 18.7%; p = 0.01).

Conclusion

Spanish children and adolescents received an average of 10 impacts per day from television spots for unhealthy foods and drinks. The exposure of low-class children is double that of high-class children, a finding compatible with the high prevalence of childhood obesity in Spain and the related socio-economic inequalities. To protect Spanish minors from the harmful effects of food advertising and reduce the related social health inequalities would require the implementation of a 24:00 watershed for unhealthy food advertising on television.

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Title: Differences in children’s exposure to television advertising of unhealthy foods and beverages in Spain by socio-economic level
Authors: Miguel Ángel Royo-Bordonada
Cristina Cavero-Esponera
María Mar Romero-Fernández
Cristina González-Díaz
Elena Ordaz Castillo
Publication date: 01-12-2024
Publisher: BioMed Central
Keywords: Obesity
Obesity
Published in: BMC Public Health / Issue 1/2024
Electronic ISSN: 1471-2458
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-023-17410-z

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Differences in children’s exposure to television advertising of unhealthy foods and beverages in Spain by socio-economic level

Abstract

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusion

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusion

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