Television marketing of food and non-alcoholic beverages (FNAB) high in fats to children in Sri Lanka

Abstract

Introduction: Dietary fat exerts a significant risk of coronary heart disease (CHD) and obesity, which is on the rise in children. Television marketing of food and non-alcoholic beverages (FNAB) influences the dietary choices of children. There is a global interest in reducing fat, particularly trans-fat, contents in food and in regulating unhealthy FNAB marketing to children. This study aimed to explore the extent of the television marketing of FNAB high in fat, to which Sri Lankan children are potentially exposed. Methods: The analysis was on FNAB products advertised over 33 hours on the three most popular television channels for children aged 4-16 years in Sri Lanka.The International Network for Food and Obesity/NCDs Research, Monitoring and Action Support (INFORMAS) Network Protocol was used, and the food products were categorised as ‘permitted’ or ‘non permitted' based on their fat content according to the WHO-South-East Asia Region (SEARO)-Nutrient Profile Model (NPM).