How is food being marketed to children?
Each year, billions of dollars are poured into marketing food to children through television commercials, special packaging, sampling, coupons, sweepstakes, and other promotions. According to the 2003 Position Paper of the American Public Health Association (APHA), food advertising accounts for more than half of the 40,000 television commercials that children view each year on average. This means that children view an average of one food commercial for every five minutes of television viewing time, and may see as many as three hours of food commercials each week. Food marketing also reaches children in school through means such as vending machines; branded fast food served at lunch; exclusive ‘pouring rights’ contracts with soft drink manufacturers; corporate-supported fundraisers, sports events, and educational events; advertising on billboards, books, and school supplies; and incentive reward programs.
