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Project

Comparing the extent and nature of unhealthy food and drink TV marketing to girls and boys across nine countries in Asia
 

Indonesia
Malaysia
Philippines
Thailand
Project ID
109170
Total Funding
CAD 744,300.00
IDRC Officer
Madiha Ahmed
Project Status
Active
Duration
36 months

Programs and partnerships

Lead institution(s)

Summary

Asia has undergone a rapid socio-economic transition that is linked to a large-scale change in dietary patterns towards high-energy and low-nutrition food products. The continent is now home to half of all overweight or obese children under five.
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Asia has undergone a rapid socio-economic transition that is linked to a large-scale change in dietary patterns towards high-energy and low-nutrition food products. The continent is now home to half of all overweight or obese children under five.

Food and beverage consumption is shaped by environment, including exposure to food advertising, such as television marketing. Targeted advertisements of unhealthy food and beverages can contribute to a poor diet and increased exposure to non-communicable disease (NCD) risk factors such as obesity. Regulations on food marketing vary widely across Asia, and several countries have no restrictions on promoting unhealthy products to children and adolescents.

Evidence is needed across countries on the extent and nature of food and non-alcoholic beverage advertising and television marketing. Another research gap exists in understanding portrayals of gender in marketing campaigns and how these affect the dietary behaviour of girls and boys in various countries.

The International Network for Food and Obesity/Non-communicable diseases research, monitoring, and action support (INFORMAS) is a global network of public interest organizations and researchers that monitor and support actions to increase healthy food environments. Their protocol on food promotion will be applied across nine countries, namely Bangladesh, China, India, Malaysia, Mongolia, Nepal, Philippines, Sri Lanka, and Vietnam. The results of the study will inform and strengthen policies related to unhealthy food advertising to children in Asian countries. The collaborative network will also promote shared exploration of other research needs that will develop a better understanding of media and messaging that is used to influence food consumption among children in Asia.