Child-oriented marketing techniques in snack food packages in Guatemala

Date

2013

Journal Title

Journal ISSN

Volume Title

Publisher

BioMed Central

Abstract

The study assesses availability of child-oriented snack foods in school kiosks and convenience stores near public schools in Guatemala, and identifies marketing techniques used in packaging. Evidence-based policies restricting the use of promotional characters in unhealthy snack food packages need to be explored as a strategy for control of obesity. Child-oriented marketing was identified as packaging that had promotional characters, premium offers, children′s television/movie tie-ins, sports references, or included the word “child.” 55 stores and street-vendors were assessed. This study is the first to document unhealthy snack foods’ advertising strategies targeted to children in a low income country (LMIC).

Description

Keywords

MARKETING, SOCIAL DETERMINANTS OF HEALTH, SUGAR, GUATEMALA, PACKAGING, PUBLIC HEALTH, SCHOOL ENVIRONMENT, DIET, SNACKS, OBESITY, NUTRITION, FOOD INDUSTRY, CHILD HEALTH, ADVERTISING, LATIN AMERICA, NORTH AND CENTRAL AMERICA

Citation

Chacon, V., Letona, P., & Barnoya, J. (2013). Child-oriented marketing techniques in snack food packages in Guatemala. BMC Public Health, 13(967). doi:10.1186/1471-2458-13-967

DOI