Television advertisements for high-sugar foods and beverages: effect on children’s snack food intake

• DOI: 10.1017/s0007114520003116
• Publication Date: 2020-08-04T06:30:59Z
• Authors: Justin Kearney; Rhian Fitzgerald; Girvan Burnside; Susan Higham; Norah Flannigan; Jason C.G. Halford; Emma J. Boyland
• Keywords: Snack food; Added sugar; Dietary Sucrose

Abstract Energy-dense food advertising affects children’s eating behaviour. However, the impact of high-sugar specifically on intake sweet foods is underexplored. This study sought to determine whether children would increase their sugar and total energy following (relative toy advertising) dental health, weight status socio-economic (SES) moderate any effect. In a crossover, randomised controlled trial, 101 UK (forty male) aged 8–10 years were exposed food/beverage advertisements embedded within cartoon. Their subsequent snack beverages varying in content was measured. A examination performed, height measurements taken. Home postcode provided by parents used assign participants SES quintiles. Children consumed significantly greater amount (203·3 (95 % CI 56·5, 350·2) kJ (48·6 13·5, 83·7) kcal); P = 0·007) (6·0 1·3, 10·7) g; 0·012) compared with after advertisements. driven increased items most (chocolate jelly sweets). healthy caries had greatest response exposure, but there no differences SES. Acute experimental exposure increases children. Specifically, beverage promotes consumption items. The debate around negative health effects should be widened include as well overall dietary obesity.