Junk Food Promotion to Children and Adolescents in Fiji
- Author:
Silvia F. Hope
;
Wendy Snowdon
;
Lindsay B. Carey
;
Priscilla Robinson
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords:
Children, Obesity, Food Policy, Survey, Advertising content analysis
- From:Fiji Journal of Public Health
2013;2(1):27-35
- CountryFiji
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
Objective: To collect evidence on the exposure, awareness and effct of ‘junk food’ advertising and sponsorship upon
children and adolescents in Fiji.
Method: A questionnaire was developed and used with a sample 88 primary school students and 103 secondary school
students in Suva, Fiji and included questions about participants’ food preferences, nutritional knowledge and
advert recall ability. Two free-to-air television channels were recorded for two weekdays and two weekend days
from 6am-9pm, and the content analysed for advertised content. The amount of street advertisements in three
defied localities was assessed. Sponsorship of events by ‘junk food’ products was assessed over the preceding
twelve month period.
Results: School children were able to identify multiple food products they had seen advertised. 94% reported that
seeing adverts makes them want to try products. Seventy one percent had asked others to buy advertised
products for them. There was evidence that food advertising contributed to incorrect nutrition beliefs. Levels of street and television advertising for ‘junk foods’ were high. Fourteen events sponsored by ‘junk food’ products were found to have taken place within one year of the investigation.
Conclusions: Children in Suva remember but misunderstand the nutritional value of advertised ‘junk foods’.
Their diets are altered detrimentally as a result.
Implications: There is a need for a regulatory approach to limit ‘junk food’ advertising in Fiji.
