A recent review published in Obesity Reviews, led by Rositsa Ilieva from the CUNY Urban Food Policy Institute, analyzed 108 studies and 19 literature reviews, revealing that unhealthy food marketing significantly contributes to poor dietary habits and health issues among adolescents and young adults.

The research indicates that increased exposure to high-fat, high-sugar, and salty food advertisements correlates with higher consumption of these products, which raises the risks of obesity, type 2 diabetes, and other diet-related diseases.

Key findings show that over 90% of the studies confirm that junk food advertising increases intake, particularly of sugary drinks and energy-dense snacks, with even brief exposure leading to significant increases in calorie consumption.

Brand loyalty develops early, as repeated exposure to food advertisements fosters positive emotional associations, resulting in long-term preferences and higher obesity rates among children.

Digital marketing tactics, especially influencer promotions on platforms like TikTok and Instagram, are increasingly used to market unhealthy foods to youth, often disguised as peer content.

The researchers propose expanding legal protections to include older youth, regulating digital marketing formats, and improving access to marketing data to inform public health policies.

The World Health Organization recognizes unhealthy food marketing as a public health threat and has called for stronger protective policies for children, highlighting successful regulations in places like London and Norway.

Nicholas Freudenberg, a co-author and public health professor, emphasizes the urgent need for stronger regulations against misleading marketing practices targeting youth, citing unhealthy food as a major global cause of preventable diseases and deaths.

The authors stress that the combined effects of marketing across multiple platforms require further research, as this aspect has been less studied compared to individual media like television or social media.

Co-authors of the review include students Nava Gottlieb from The London School of Economics and Hailey Christian from Columbia University's Mailman School of Public Health, who contributed through field placements at the Food Policy Institute.

This comprehensive study underscores the need for effective policy and prevention strategies to combat the negative impact of unhealthy food marketing on young people's health.