The Frequency and Healthfulness of Food and Beverage Advertising in Movie Theatres: A Pilot Study Conducted in the United States and Canada.

ABSTRACT: The marketing of unhealthy foods and beverages contributes to childhood obesity. In Canada and the United States, these promotions are self-regulated by industry. However, these regulations do not apply to movie theatres, which are frequently visited by children. This pilot study examined the frequency and healthfulness of food advertising in movie theatres in the United States and Canada. A convenience sample of seven movie theatres in both Virginia (US) and Ontario (Canada) were visited once per month for a four-month period. Each month, ads in the movie theatre environment and before the screening of children's movies were assessed. Food ads were categorized as permissible or not permissible for marketing to children using the World Health Organization's European Nutrient Profile Model.

SUBMITTER: Wong S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7282003 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature