Trends in Television Food Advertising to Young People: 2015

In a new brief on television advertising of food to children, the Rudd Center for Food Policy and Obesity documents trends in food-related TV advertising viewed by children and adolescents from 2002 to 2015, specifically focusing on changes in 2015 compared to 2014. The report also examines changes in categories of foods and beverages advertised since 2007, the year the Children’s Food and Beverage Advertising Initiative (CFBAI) food industry self-regulatory program was implemented. Food, beverage, and restaurant TV advertising to children decreased by 8%, and to adolescents by 14%, from 2014 to 2015. Adults also saw 7% fewer ads in 2015 versus 2014. Compared to 2007, children saw 3% fewer ads and adolescents saw an equal number of ads.