Regulating Food Advertising to Children on TV
Author Information
Author(s): Elizabeth Handsley, Kaye Mehta, John Coveney, Chris Nehmy
Primary Institution: Flinders University
Hypothesis
How can food advertising to children on television be effectively regulated?
Conclusion
Regulations based on the time of day when children are likely to be watching TV are the most effective in limiting their exposure to food advertising.
Supporting Evidence
- Health groups argue that food advertising contributes to childhood obesity.
- Research shows a direct correlation between children's exposure to food ads and their food preferences.
- Most foods advertised during children's viewing times are high in sugar and fat.
Takeaway
This study looks at how to make rules about food ads on TV so kids see less junk food. It finds that setting rules based on when kids are watching is the best way to help them.
Methodology
The article evaluates various regulatory criteria for food advertising to children across different jurisdictions.
Potential Biases
The reliance on consumer complaints may lead to underreporting of breaches due to vague criteria.
Limitations
The study does not provide empirical data on the effectiveness of the proposed regulatory axes.
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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