Comparison of food groups and health claims appearing in food advertisements in 3 popular magazine categories
Lohmann, J.; Kant, A.K.
Journal of the American Dietetic Association 100(11): 1396-1399
2000
ISSN/ISBN: 0002-8223 PMID: 11103664 DOI: 10.1016/s0002-8223(00)00387-4
Accession: 009799155
The direction of food advertising in magazines with different target audiences and primary focus was investigated. A comparison of food advertising in 1991 with that in 1994 revealed that most advertising was directed to energy-dense, nutrient-poor foods of questionable health merit. In this investigation, the advertising frequency of food groups from the Food Guide Pyramid and nutrition claims were compared in 3 types of magazines: food, women's, and health. Two popular representative magazines published throughout 1997 were chosen for each magazine type. Fats, oils, and sweets and beverages were found to be highly advertised products, and fruit and vegetables were found to be the most underadvertised food groups in all magazine types.