Socioeconomic differences in outdoor food advertising at public transit stops across Melbourne suburbs

Abstract

Objective: To assess and compare the number and type of outdoor food advertisements at public transit stops within suburbs of varying levels of socioeconomic disadvantage.Method: An observational audit tool was developed and implemented to assess the number and type of food advertisements at public transit stops within Melbourne, Victoria. A total of 20 Melbourne neighbourhoods (suburbs) from across the least and the most socioeconomically disadvantaged areas were selected. All public transit stops, including train stations and bus and tram stops with a shelter were audited.Results: A similar proportion of transit stops in the least and most-disadvantaged suburbs displayed food advertisements (total n=203). However, some differences in the type of advertisements across suburbs were noted with advertisements for fast food restaurants, flavoured milk and fruit juice more common in the most-disadvantaged neighbourhoods (all p<0.05) and advertisements for diet soft drink, tea, coffee and convenience stores more common in the least-disadvantaged neighbourhoods (all p<0.05). Conclusion:This exploration of outdoor food advertising at Melbourne transit stops found 30% displayed food advertisements, with those in more disadvantaged suburbs more frequently promoting chain-brand fast food and less frequently promoting diet varieties of soft drinks. These findings may help raise awareness of unhealthy environmental exposures.

An audit of food and beverage advertising on the Sydney metropolitan train network: regulation and policy implications

“…Settle et al reported a similar product breakdown in their audit of Melbourne public transit stops, supporting the transferability of our results to the broader Australian context [32]. The lower volume of advertisements for water-based sugar-sweetened beverages appears promising, given the evidence identifying high intakes of soft-drinks as a probable causal factor in weight gain [5].…”

“…Kelly and colleagues investigated food and beverage advertising surrounding primary schools in New South Wales (NSW) and identified train stations as the setting with the highest proportion of non-core food advertising (90%) [31]. Recent studies investigating advertising at Melbourne [32], Sydney [33] and Perth [34] transit stops reported a high proportion of advertising for snack foods, sugar-sweetened and intense-sweetened beverages, and alcohol. Settle and colleagues [32] found that 30% of sampled transit stops in Melbourne displayed food advertisements, with some variation between the types of food and beverages advertised according to the level of socioeconomic disadvantage of the suburb.…”

“…Recent studies investigating advertising at Melbourne [32], Sydney [33] and Perth [34] transit stops reported a high proportion of advertising for snack foods, sugar-sweetened and intense-sweetened beverages, and alcohol. Settle and colleagues [32] found that 30% of sampled transit stops in Melbourne displayed food advertisements, with some variation between the types of food and beverages advertised according to the level of socioeconomic disadvantage of the suburb. No study has provided a complete audit of food advertising across the train network of a major Australian city, assessing the nutritional quality of advertised foods and considering seasonal effects on advertising.…”

Food swamps by area socioeconomic deprivation in New Zealand: a national study

“…(Grier and Kumanyika 2008;Isgor et al 2016;Powell et al 2014;Settle et al 2014). Therefore, it is equally possible that companies strategically target the development of new unhealthy outlets in lower socioeconomic neighbourhoods.…”

The volume and type of unhealthy bus shelter advertising around schools in Perth, Western Australia: Results from an explorative study

“…Research from the USA has indicated that areas of greater socio‐economic disadvantage are more likely to have a higher number of outdoor alcohol advertisements than areas of socio‐economic advantage . Previous audits of bus stop advertisements in Perth's inner city have recorded a much higher volume of alcohol promotions, and recent audits of advertisements on public transport infrastructure in other Australian capital cities have similarly yielded a larger proportion of alcohol promotions . However, given the harms associated with alcohol consumption among young people, the placement of any alcohol advertising near schools is inconsistent with policy recommendations from leading health and medical organisations…”