Celebrity endorsement used to promote energy-dense and nutrient-poor (EDNP) food and beverage products may contribute to poor dietary habits. This study examined celebrity endorsement of branded food and beverage products and marketing campaigns in the United States (US) from 1990 to 2017. Celebrity endorsement data were collected from peer-reviewed and grey literature. Interactive data visualizations were created for the endorsement relationships between celebrities, companies and products whose nutritional profiles were compared with the US Department of Agriculture's (USDA's) Smart Snacks Standards. Logistic regression was used to explore associations between celebrities' demographic profiles and the nutritional profiles of products. Results showed 542 celebrities were associated with 732 endorsements representing 120 brands of 59 companies across 10 food and beverage categories. Two thirds (67.2%; n = 80) of the brands represented EDNP products that did not align with the USDA's Smart Snacks Standards. Logistic regression analysis indicated that Millennial (p = 0.008) and male celebrities (p = 0.041) were more likely to endorse EDNP products than Generation Z teen and female celebrities, respectively. No statistical significance was observed for celebrities of other demographic profiles. This study may inform future policies and actions of the US government, industry, researchers and consumer advocacy organizations to use celebrity endorsement to promote healthy food environments for Americans.
The COVID-19 pandemic has affected the food system, increasing barriers to food access and exacerbating food insecurity across the U.S. The Virginia state government initiated a stay-at- home order to help reduce the spread of COVID-19. Prior to the pandemic, the Virginia Fresh Match (VFM) Nutrition Incentive Network partnered with food retail outlets to provide Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) participants point-of-purchase incentives (e.g., Double Up Food Bucks, SNAP Match), which function as matching discounts on fresh fruits and vegetables (F/V). These can enable participants to increase their purchasing power and potentially reduce food insecurity. In response to COVID-19, VFM removed the limit on incentive discounts (previously $101) to further incentivize the purchase of fresh F/V by SNAP participants. This study sought to characterize the purchasing patterns of SNAP participants at a food co-operative (co-op) partnered with VFM before and during the Virginia stay-at-home order. A total of 654 transactions at the co-op were included. Independent t-tests were utilized to determine differences before and during the order. The results indicated a significant increase in the mean incentive discount received during the order (pre-shutdown=$3.95, inter-shutdown=$5.01, p=0.035); however, simultaneously there was a decrease in the mean number of fresh F/V purchased (pre-shutdown=3.08, inter-shutdown=2.39, p=0.015). Although F/V purchases decreased, the presence of unlimited point-of-purchase incentives at the food co-op may have helped prevent a greater decline in fresh F/V purchases and helped increase access to fresh F/V in this population during the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. ; Food Insecurity and Nutrition Incentive program grant through the National Institute for Food and Agriculture of the USDA [USDA-FINI-006104] ; Published version ; This study was funded by a Food Insecurity and Nutrition Incentive program grant through the National Institute for Food and Agriculture of the USDA (USDA-FINI-006104).
Celebrity endorsement used to promote energy-dense and nutrient-poor (EDNP) food and beverage products may contribute to poor dietary habits. This study examined celebrity endorsement of branded food and beverage products and marketing campaigns in the United States (US) from 1990 to 2017. Celebrity endorsement data were collected from peer-reviewed and grey literature. Interactive data visualizations were created for the endorsement relationships between celebrities, companies and products whose nutritional profiles were compared with the US Department of Agricultures (USDAs) Smart Snacks Standards. Logistic regression was used to explore associations between celebrities demographic profiles and the nutritional profiles of products. Results showed 542 celebrities were associated with 732 endorsements representing 120 brands of 59 companies across 10 food and beverage categories. Two thirds (67.2%; n = 80) of the brands represented EDNP products that did not align with the USDAs Smart Snacks Standards. Logistic regression analysis indicated that Millennial ( p = 0.008) and male celebrities ( p = 0.041) were more likely to endorse EDNP products than Generation Z teen and female celebrities, respectively. No statistical significance was observed for celebrities of other demographic profiles. This study may inform future policies and actions of the US government, industry, researchers and consumer advocacy organizations to use celebrity endorsement to promote healthy food environments for Americans. ; Published version
In 2015, the PHA launched the branded FNV (Fruits & Veggies) Campaign in California and Virginia to increase sales and consumption of fruits and vegetables among millennial moms (21-34 years) and Generation Z teens (15-20 years). This study summarizes trends in U.S. fruit and vegetable consumption behaviors. We also describe the survey results that examined the familiarity of the FNV Campaign among Generation Z teens and Millennial moms in the two lead cities or test locationsFresno in the Central Valley region of California and the Hampton Roads region of southeastern Virginia. Methods: A 35-item Qualtrics survey was administered either in person or online to Millennial moms and Generation Z teens in the two lead cities (n= 1604; Fresno, California: n= 746; Hampton Roads, Virginia: n=858) between February 1, 2017 and June 31, 2017. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 24 for Windows (IBM Corporation, USA, 2016). We analyzed differences in cognitive, affective, and behavioral outcomes by each test location. Differences within each city were compared between those who were familiar versus unfamiliar with the FNV Campaign. Results: About a quarter (25%) of respondents in each lead city (25.2% in Fresno, California and 25.8% in Hampton Roads, Virginia) were familiar with the FNV Campaign. In Hampton Roads, Virginia, a larger percentage of respondents reported having seen the FNV logo, while in Fresno, California, respondents reported an equal distribution between seeing the logo online or in the community, or just having heard of FNV. Apples, bananas and carrots were the most commonly recognized foods by participants surveyed who recalled seeing the FNV Campaign. There were no statistically significant differences between respondents familiar with the FNV Campaign and their awareness of previous campaigns that encouraged fruits and vegetables (e.g., Five a Day and Fruits and VeggiesMore Matters). Respondents familiar with the FNV Campaign were not more knowledgeable about U.S. government-recommended servings of fruits and vegetables (e.g., 4.5 cup equivalents/day), compared to those who were unfamiliar with FNV Campaign. Respon¬dents in both test locations were significantly more likely to agree that they found it hard to purchase fruits and vegetables in their neighborhood and that eating fruits and vegetables affected their health. In Fresno, California but not Hampton Roads, Virginia, respondents familiar with FNV were significantly more confident in their ability to purchase but not prepare fruits and vegetables. There were statistically significant differences between respondents in Fresno, California who were familiar with the FNV Campaign. These respondents reported more daily servings of 100% vegetable juice, dark-green leafy vegetables and orange-colored vegetables compared to those who were unfamiliar with FNV, although the latter differences were not significant. No differences were observed between respondents who were familiar or unfamiliar with the FNV Campaign in Hampton Roads, Virginia. We found no differences in the fruit and vegetable purchasing behaviors of those familiar versus unfamiliar with the FNV Campaign in either test location. Large supermarkets and farmers markets were the two most common locations where respondents reported always or mostly shopping for food. Conclusions: While a quarter of respondents interviewed were familiar with the FNV brand, more work is needed to influence the target populations awareness about the FNV Campaign. There is also a need to understand how to use IMC to promote actionable and memorable messages to encourage target groups to purchase and consume more fruits and vegetables regularly that align with the DGA. We offer six recommendations to inform future research, evaluation and marketing of the FNV Campaign. ; Unpublished (Publication status)
There is insufficient evidence that restaurant menu labeling policies are cost-effective strategies to reduce obesity and diet-related non-communicable diseases (NCDs). Evidence suggests that menu labeling has a modest effect on calories purchased and consumed. No review has been published on the effect of menu labeling policies on transnational restaurant chains globally. This study conducted a two-step scoping review to map and describe the effect of restaurant menu labeling policies on menu reformulation. First, we identified national, state, and municipal menu labeling policies in countries from global databases. Second, we searched four databases (i.e., PubMed, CINHAL/EBSCO, Web of Science, and Google Scholar) for peer-reviewed studies and gray-literature sources in English and Spanish (2000–2020). Step 1 identified three voluntary and eight mandatory menu labeling policies primarily for energy disclosures for 11 upper-middle and high-income countries, but none for low- or middle-income countries. Step 2 identified 15 of 577 studies that met the inclusion criteria. The analysis showed reductions in energy for newly introduced menu items only in the United States. We suggest actions for governments, civil society organizations, and the restaurant businesses to develop, implement, and evaluate comprehensive menu labeling policies to determine whether these may reduce obesity and NCD risks worldwide.
The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) Strategic Plan 20202025 committed to reduce childrens consumption of energy-dense nutrient-poor food and beverage products high in fat, sugar and salt (HFSS) and promote healthy eating patterns to reduce malnutrition in all forms. This paper describes the capacity-building needs in PAHOs Member States to restrict the marketing of HFSS food and beverages to children. We asked Ministries of Health officials or national institutes/departmental representatives ( n = 35) to complete a 28-item web-based survey (January to July 2020). Capacity-building needs were assessed using an adapted version of the World Health Organizations government capacity-building framework with three modules: public health infrastructure, policies and information systems. Notable achievements for the PAHOs Plan of Action were identified. State representatives reported strong infrastructure and information systems; however, policy improvements are needed to increase comprehensive national responses. These include using a constitutional health and human rights approach within the policies, policies that document conflict of interest from non-state actors, and strengthening regulatory oversight for digital media platforms. These findings provide baseline data and we suggest priorities for further action to strengthen national governments capacity-building and to accelerate the development, implementation, and monitoring systems to restrict the marketing of HFSS food and non-alcoholic beverages to children in the region of the Americas. ; Published version
There is insufficient evidence that restaurant menu labeling policies are cost-effective strategies to reduce obesity and diet-related non-communicable diseases (NCDs). Evidence suggests that menu labeling has a modest effect on calories purchased and consumed. No review has been published on the effect of menu labeling policies on transnational restaurant chains globally. This study conducted a two-step scoping review to map and describe the effect of restaurant menu labeling policies on menu reformulation. First, we identified national, state, and municipal menu labeling policies in countries from global databases. Second, we searched four databases (i.e., PubMed, CINHAL/EBSCO, Web of Science, and Google Scholar) for peer-reviewed studies and gray-literature sources in English and Spanish (20002020). Step 1 identified three voluntary and eight mandatory menu labeling policies primarily for energy disclosures for 11 upper-middle and high-income countries, but none for low- or middle-income countries. Step 2 identified 15 of 577 studies that met the inclusion criteria. The analysis showed reductions in energy for newly introduced menu items only in the United States. We suggesr actions for governments, civil society organizations, and the restaurant businesses to develop, implement, and evaluate comprehensive menu labeling policies to determine whether these may reduce obesity and NCD risks worldwide. ; Published version
In 2010, 193 Member States of the World Health Organization (WHO) endorsed World Health Assembly Resolution WHA63.14 to restrict the marketing of food and beverage products high in fat, sugar and salt (HFSS) to children to prevent obesity and non-communicable diseases (NCDs). No study has examined HFSS marketing policies across the WHO regional office countries in the Americas. Between 2018 and 2019, a transdisciplinary team examined policies to restrict HFSS food and beverage product marketing to children to develop a responsible policy index (RESPI) that provides a quality score based on policy characteristics and marketing techniques. After designing the RESPI, we conducted a comprehensive literature review through October 2019 to examine policies in 14 countries in the WHO Americans Region. We categorized policies ( n = 38) as either self-regulatory or statutory and calculated the RESPI scores, ranked from 0 (lowest) to 10 (highest). Results showed Brazil, Canada, Chile, and Uruguay had the highest RESPI scores associated with statutory policies that restricted point of sale, cartoon, licensed media characters and celebrities; and HFSS products in schools and child care settings, and broadcast and print media. Policymakers can use the RESPI tool to evaluate marketing policies within and across geopolitical boundaries to protect childrens diet and health. ; Published version
