Exposure to unhealthy food and beverage advertising during the school commute in Australia

Abstract

BackgroundFood marketing exposure has the potential to influence children’s dietary behaviours and health status, however, few studies have identified how ‘obesogenic’ the outdoor food marketing environment is along public transport (bus and/or train) or walking routes that children take to school.MethodsAudits of all outdoor advertisements present along likely train, bus and walking routes to 24 secondary schools (ie, 3 routes per school, 72 routes total) were conducted in Perth, Western Australia (WA). The size, content, type and setting of each advertisement were recorded in accordance with the International Network for Food and Obesity/non-communicable diseases Research, Monitoring and Action Support protocol for monitoring outdoor advertising.ResultsOf the 4016 total advertisements observed, almost half were for food (n=1754, 44%) and of these, 80% (n=1397) advertised discretionary (non-core) foods, and 8% (n=138) advertised healthy (core) foods. On average, commuting to school by train, bus and walking exposed Perth schoolchildren to 37.1, 22 and 4.5 discretionary (non-core) food ads per one-way trip to school, respectively.ConclusionsChildren living in Perth, WA experience a high level of exposure to unhealthy outdoor food advertisements during the school commute. Policies which restrict the placement and content of outdoor advertising, could be a useful strategy in the fight against childhood obesity.

Food purchasing practices in various retail settings and dietary intake: A cross‐sectional survey of Australian adolescents

“…For example, many fast food outlets are located close to schools 10 and fast-food outlet density is positively associated with students' discretionary food purchases. 36 Adolescents and school-aged children are also exposed to high levels of marketing of discretionary food and drink products near schools and on the school commute, 14,37 meaning that food environments surrounding schools are not conducive to optimal dietary choices.…”

“…For example, many fast food outlets are located close to schools 10 and fast‐food outlet density is positively associated with students' discretionary food purchases 36 . Adolescents and school‐aged children are also exposed to high levels of marketing of discretionary food and drink products near schools and on the school commute, 14,37 meaning that food environments surrounding schools are not conducive to optimal dietary choices. Public health experts have called for comprehensive government regulation to protect children from ubiquitous advertising for discretionary foods in outdoor spaces and on publicly owned assets 13 and to restrict the number of fast food outlets near schools 36 …”

“…11 Although there is a paucity of evidence specific to Australian adolescents, one study found that fast food purchasing was higher among Australian adults who resided in areas with a higher concentration of unhealthy food outlets (eg, fast food) relative to healthier stores (eg, fruit and vegetable markets). 12 Australian school children are heavily exposed to marketing for unhealthy food and drinks in outdoor settings, on their school route, 13,14 and via mass and social media. [14][15][16] Fast food and meal delivery services feature prominently in advertising via these channels.…”

“…12 Australian school children are heavily exposed to marketing for unhealthy food and drinks in outdoor settings, on their school route, 13,14 and via mass and social media. [14][15][16] Fast food and meal delivery services feature prominently in advertising via these channels. The proliferation of food delivery services is a concern because the vast majority of food and drinks offered and advertised are discretionary and these services are commonly used by adolescents.…”

Trends and determinants of active school travel among Australian secondary school students: national cross‐sectional data from 2009 to 2018

“…Alternatively, students who have pocket money may choose to actively travel, so they can purchase snacks en route. Australian children are exposed to high levels of outdoor advertising for unhealthy food and drink on school routes, 32 with exposure to unhealthy food advertising known to encourage a preference for and purchasing of unhealthy foods by children 33 . International studies have found that among adolescents, active travel is associated with an increased likelihood of consumption of fast food compared to car travel, related to higher fast‐food purchasing opportunities 34 , 35 .…”