Objective: The aim of this study was to describe advertising expenditure for sugary drinks compared with alternative cold non-alcoholic beverages (artificially sweetened beverages, plain water, plain milk) between 2016 and 2018 across Australian media channels.Methods: Monthly estimates of advertising expenditure for non-alcoholic beverages were obtained from Nielsen Media and aggregated by product type and media.Results: Total sugary drink advertising expenditure between 2016 and 2018 ($129.5M) significantly exceeded expenditure on artificially sweetened drinks ($23.26M), plain water ($14.27M), and plain milk ($31.30M). Television and out-of-home advertising accounted for the largest share of sugary drink advertising (45%, 35%). Expenditure on out-of-home advertising was more heavily dominated by sugary drinks (75%) than advertising in all media combined (65%). Sugary drink advertising peaked in warmer months and was lowest in August. Soft drinks (26%), flavoured milks (24%) and energy drinks (21%) accounted for the majority of sugary drink advertising. Conclusions:Cold non-alcoholic beverage advertising in Australian media is dominated by the advertising of sugary drinks. Implications for public health:Restricting unhealthy beverage advertising on television and out-of-home media may be most effective initially. However, comprehensive restrictions capturing a broader range of media and settings would be optimal to prevent displacement and limit advertising reach and exposure.
Aims To investigate whether ‘low sugar’ and related claims influence consumers’ perceptions of the healthiness or other attributes of alcoholic drinks, promote greater consumption or impact diet and activity behaviour intentions. Method N = 501 Australian women aged 18–35 viewed and rated six images of alcoholic drinks in a randomized online experiment with a 2 (claim: low sugar claim, no claim control) × 2 (drink type: cider, ready-to-drink spirits) between-subjects design. Results Participants who viewed drinks with low sugar claims rated them as healthier, less harmful to health, lower in sugar and kilojoules, and more suitable for weight management and a healthy diet than participants who viewed identical drinks with no claim (P < 0.001-P = 0.002). Drinks with low sugar claims were also perceived as being lower in alcohol (P < 0.001) despite being of equivalent alcohol content. There were no significant differences in anticipated social approval associated with consumption or in hypothetical intended consumption of the drinks, but participants who viewed drinks with low sugar claims were less likely to indicate they would compensate for consumption of the drink by modifying food intake or physical activity (P = 0.01). Conclusions Low sugar and related claims on alcoholic drinks can generate a health halo: consumers generalise from a specific favourable attribute (low sugar) to misperceive other favourable health- and nutrition-related attributes, including lower alcohol content. Findings support calls to reconsider the permissibility of low sugar claims on alcoholic drinks as they may mislead consumers.
Background/AimsDiscretionary, energy‐dense, nutrient‐poor food and drinks are heavily marketed and readily available in retail settings frequented by adolescents. This study examines associations between food purchasing practices in various retail settings and dietary intake among Australian adolescents.MethodsParticipants were students in years 8 to 11 (ages 12‐17 years) who completed the 2009‐10 (n = 13 790), 2012‐13 (n = 10 309) or 2018 (n = 9102) National Secondary Students' Diet and Activity (NaSSDA) cross‐sectional survey. Multistage stratified random sampling was used. An online survey completed at school assessed self‐reported frequency of food purchasing practices in various retail settings and consumption of discretionary food, sugary drinks, fruit and vegetables. Generalised linear regression models examined associations between food purchasing practices and dietary behaviour.ResultsRelative to students who brought lunch from home, those who purchased lunch from school or nearby outlets reported higher intake of discretionary food and sugary drinks and lower fruit intake. Buying lunch from school was also associated with lower vegetable intake. Buying food or drinks on the school commute, outside school grounds during school hours, from supermarket checkouts, and using mobile phone apps were each associated with higher discretionary food and sugary drink intake (all P < .01).ConclusionsPurchasing food or drink in various retail settings is associated with higher intake of discretionary food and drink among Australian adolescents, and some purchasing practices appeared to displace fruit and vegetable intake.So What?These findings highlight a need to improve the accessibility and promotion of healthier food and drink options in schools and other retail settings.
Issue AddressedThis study assessed Australian adults' attitudes towards government actions to protect children from digital marketing of unhealthy food and drink products.MethodsAn online survey was undertaken by Australian adults aged 18–64 recruited via two national panels in December 2019 (N = 2044).ResultsMost respondents (69%) agreed the Government should protect children from unhealthy food and drink marketing and advertising broadly. Those who agreed most commonly indicated children should be protected up to age 16 (34%) or 18 (24%). There was widespread support for government actions to stop unhealthy food and drink marketing on digital platforms (e.g., internet sites) (68%–69%) and various digital marketing techniques (e.g., advertising by brands on social media) (56%–71%). A total ban on targeting unhealthy food and drink marketing to children online received the highest level of support (76%). Most respondents (81%) disagreed unhealthy food and drink companies should be able to collect children's personal information for marketing purposes. Support for examined actions was generally higher among older adults, more educated adults and more frequent internet users, lower among males, and similar between parents and non‐parents.ConclusionsThere is public perception that the government is responsible for protecting children, well into adolescence, from unhealthy food and drink marketing broadly. Widespread public support extends to specific actions to reduce children's exposure to digital marketing of unhealthy food and drink products.So What?Implementation of policies to protect children from digital marketing of unhealthy food and drink products would be well received by the Australian public.
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