Children in the United States grow up in environments saturated by food and beverage marketing, the bulk of it for foods low in nutrients and high in calories, sugars, salt and fat. Food and beverage companies reach children and adolescents using integrated marketing communications strategies, which encompass all forms of communication about products and services. This research synthesis examines recent research on U.S. trends in food and beverage marketing to children and adolescents. It builds on a Healthy Eating Research brief released in October 2008. The synthesis examines the growing body of research that independently assesses industry self-regulation, identifies policy implications and highlights additional research needs and opportunities.
Published: April 2011
ID #: 1048
Publisher: Healthy Eating Research
Authors: Cheyne A, Dorfman L, Gonzalez P, Mejia P
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)
Race/Ethnicity: African American or Black, Latino(a) or Hispanic, Multi-racial/ethnic, White
Keywords: Competitive foods, Digital marketing, Fast food, Food advertising, Food outlet, Grocery store, Media, Restaurant, Self-regulation, Social media
Focus Areas: Food Marketing, School & After School
Resource Type: Research Review
Related Research
August 2025
Universal Free School Meal Policies and Participation in the US National School Meal Programs
This study aimed to examine the impact of federal- and state-level Universal Free School Meal (UFSM) policies and related policies on National School Lunch Program (NSLP) and School Breakfast Program (SBP) participation rates during and after the COVID-19 pandemic. This comparative effectiveness research study used a natural experiment created by the COVID-19 pandemic to analyze MoreFebruary 2025
More States and Sponsors Are Providing Grab-and-Go Meals to Children during Summer
In 2023, to respond to increased rates of child food insecurity during the summer Congress authorized states to opt in to allowing noncongregate, or “grab-and-go,” summer meal services for students in rural areas. In the summer of 2023, 46 states and DC opted in, and in the summer of 2024 all 50 states and DC MoreDecember 2024