Faculty Collaboration Database

Impact of food advertising on food purchases by students in primary and secondary schools in south-eastern Poland. Public Health Nutr 2008 Sep;11(9):978-81

Date

03/21/2008

Pubmed ID

18353194

DOI

10.1017/S1368980008002000

Scopus ID

2-s2.0-48749100474 (requires institutional sign-in at Scopus site)   17 Citations

Abstract

AIM: The aim of the present study was to determine the impact of food advertising in primary and secondary schools on the food purchasing habits of children.

METHODS: All forty-four primary and secondary schools in Rzeszow, Poland were included in the investigation; 15000 children attend primary and secondary schools in the region. Schools were visited by members of the research team, who filled in a questionnaire regarding the type of food products displayed or advertised in the school shop window and recorded the presence of direct corporate advertising in the proximity of the school shop. Shop owners were asked to fill in a form describing food purchases by students within the week preceding the visit. The school principal (or one of teachers) completed a form describing the school's policy regarding food advertising and the sponsorship of school activities by food companies.

RESULTS: Recommended foods like milk, yogurts and fruit were offered by only 40.9 % of shops. There was a correlation between foods offered in the shop and foods purchased by students. In schools, 40.9% (95% CI 25.8, 56.0%) of shop windows displayed or advertised 'healthy' foods while 9.1% (95% CI 0.0, 17.9%) of shops displayed advertisements of food companies. The difference between display of 'healthy' food in shop windows and display of food on company advertisements was significant (likelihood ratio chi2 test, P < 0.04). Type of school (primary v. secondary) was not significant factor in advertising or purchasing pattern.

CONCLUSIONS: Educational programmes should be introduced in schools with the aim of improving the understanding of nutritional principles among pupils, teachers and parents.

Author List

Mazur A, Telega G, Kotowicz A, Małek H, Jarochowicz S, Gierczak B, Mazurkiewicz M, Pop T, Zajkiewicz K, Drużbicki M, Mazur D

Author

Grzegorz W. Telega MD Professor in the Pediatrics department at Medical College of Wisconsin

MESH terms used to index this publication - Major topics in bold

Adolescent
Adolescent Nutritional Physiological Phenomena
Child
Child Nutritional Physiological Phenomena
Choice Behavior
Diet Surveys
Feeding Behavior
Female
Food
Food Preferences
Food Services
Humans
Male
Marketing
Poland
Schools
Students