Abstract

RODRIGUES, Ana Sofia; CARMO, Isabel do; BREDA, João  and  RITO, Ana Isabel. Association between marketing of high energy food and drinks and childhood obesity. Rev. Port. Sau. Pub. [online]. 2011, vol.29, n.2, pp.180-187. ISSN 0870-9025.

This article is a review about food marketing directed to children and its possible relation to childhood obesity. Marketing of food and beverages, especially of those high in energy density and poor in micronutrients, can be one factor, among others, that contributes to childhood obesity by its negative influence on food consumption behaviour of children. There is some evidence that marketing influences children's food choices, preferences and consumption, food and beverage purchases and requests of these products to parents. Although the prevalence of childhood obesity is increasing, most of the advertised foods to children are rich in calories, fat, sugar and/or salt, which is a main concerning of Ethics and Public Health. Children represent a vulnerable target of marketing because of their inability to understand its persuasive intentions. Measures to control food marketing directed to children could be important in preventing childhood obesity.

Keywords : Childhood overweight; Childhood obesity; Marketing; Advertising; High energy density foods.

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