Abstract
Food advertising is a contentious issue in regards to childhood obesity and has increasing importance on the public policy agenda both in Australia and overseas. This study examines the nature and extent of food advertising/promotions on five popular children's websites, each of which is the website for a top‐selling magazine and targets children aged eight to12 years. The websites were monitored in two time periods: December 2005 and November‐December 2007. Food product promotions targeting children via these websites were commonplace, with food products appearing in many website links. Much of this promotion was indirect and subtle, with most products associated with games, competitions or prizes.
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Notes
1. The new AANA Code for Advertising to Children appears to cover all forms of advertising, including Internet (although is not specifically stated) – but its only specific references to food are not encouraging an inactive lifestyle and not containing misleading nutritional information.
Note. All website URLs provided are the addresses accessed within the data collection period (ie. November/December 2007). Therefore, advertisements recorded may no longer be displayed at these sites.
2. Note. All website URLs provided are the addresses accessed within the data collection period (ie. November/December 2007). Therefore, advertisements recorded may no longer be displayed at these sites.
1. The new AANA Code for Advertising to Children appears to cover all forms of advertising, including Internet (although is not specifically stated) — but its only specific references to food are not encouraging an inactive lifestyle and not containing misleading nutritional information.
2. All website URLs provided are the addresses accessed within the data collection period (ie. November/December 2007). Therefore, advertisements recorded may no longer be displayed at these sites.