Compliance with childrens television food advertising regulations in Australia

Michele Roberts, Simone Pettigrew, Kathy Chapman, Caroline Miller, Pascale Quester

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

24 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Background: The objective of this study was to assess the effectiveness of the Australian co-regulatory system in limiting childrens exposure to unhealthy television food advertising by measuring compliance with mandatory and voluntary regulations. An audit was conducted on food and beverage television advertisements broadcast in five major Australian cities during childrens programming time from 1st September 2010 to 31st October 2010. The data were assessed against mandatory and voluntary advertising regulations, the information contained in an industry report of breaches, and the Australian Guide to Healthy Eating. Results: During the two months of data collection there were a total of 951 breaches of the combined regulations. This included 619 breaches of the mandatory regulations (CTS) and 332 breaches of the voluntary regulations (RCMI and QSRI). Almost 83% of all food and beverages advertised during childrens programming times were for foods classified as Extras in the Australian Guide to Healthy Eating. There were also breaches in relation to the amount of advertising repetition and the use of promotional appeals such as premium offers, competitions, and endorsements by popular childrens characters. The self-regulatory systems were found to have flaws in their reporting and there were errors in the Australian Food and Grocery Councils compliance report. Conclusions: This audit suggests that current advertising regulations are inadequate. Regulations need to be closely monitored and more tightly enforced to protect children from advertisements for unhealthy foods.

Original languageEnglish
Article number846
JournalBMC public health
Volume12
Issue number1
DOIs
Publication statusPublished or Issued - 2012
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Child obesity
  • Diet
  • Food advertising
  • Food marketing
  • Nutrition
  • Public policy
  • Regulatory compliance

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health

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