The goal of this work is to provide an in-depth examination and comparison of industry efforts to self-regulate food and beverage marketing to children. More specifically, this macro-level analysis will: (a) analyze, compare, and contrast food and entertainment companies’ policies on food marketing to children with respect to their nutrition standards, media approaches covered, and definition of child audience, (b) assess changes in companies’ portfolio of products marketed to children, and (c) educate the public, health professionals, companies, and policymakers on the strength of the various policies and the magnitude of their collective impact. Researchers will develop and utilize comprehensive grading criteria, resulting in a ‘food marketing report card,’ to rate and rank the company policies based on the Guidelines for Responsible Food Marketing to Children (CSPI), Dietary Guidelines for Americans, the reach of the marketing techniques, and existing research in this area. Best practices in the industry will be highlighted.
Start Date: September 2008
ID #: 65058
Principal Investigator: Margo Wootan, DSc
Organization: Center for Science in the Public Interest
Funding Round: Round 3
Age Groups: Adolescents (grades 9 to 12), Elementary-age children (grades K to 5), Preschool-age children (ages 3 to 5), Young adolescents (grades 6 to 8)
Keywords: Digital marketing, Food advertising, Front-of-package labeling, In-store marketing, Media, Nutrition standards, Point-of-decision prompts, Self-regulation, Social media
Focus Areas: Food Marketing, School & After School
Resource Type: Grant Summary
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