Link between food advertising and child food consumption

New research at the University of Liverpool has confirmed that unhealthy food advertising increases food intake in children. Researchers, led by Dr Emma Boyland from the University's Institute of Psychology, Health & Society , reviewed and analysed 22 separate studies that had examined the impact of acute, experimental unhealthy food advertising exposure on food consumption. The studies had exposed children and/or adults to unhealthy food advertising on the television or Internet, measured how much they ate, and compared this to the amount people ate without food advertising. The analysis showed that exposure to unhealthy food advertising significantly increased food consumption in children, but not adults. Television and Internet advertising were equally impactful. Epidemic Dr Boyland, said: "Through our analysis of these published studies I have shown that food advertising doesn't just affect brand preference - it drives consumption. Given that almost all children in Westernised societies are exposed to large amounts of unhealthy food advertising on a daily basis this is a real concern.