Researchers analyze nutritional value of foods marketed to children through online games

Date: Sep-30-2013In a new study from Michigan State University, researchers classified the foods marketed to children through advergames (free online games) as those meeting or not meeting nutrition recommendations of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), Food & Drug Administration (FDA), Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI), and the Institute of Medicine (IOM). After identifying 143 websites that marketed foods to children aged 2 to 11 years, they found that that a large number of foods with low nutritional value are being marketed to children via advergames. Foods were classified on the basis of each of the four agency criteria and food nutrient labels provided information on serving size, calories, micronutrients, and macronutrients.

The websites advertised 254 meals, 101 snacks, and 84 beverages. Proportions of meals and snacks meeting USDA and FDA recommendations were similarly low, with the exception of saturated fat in meals and sodium content in snacks. Inconsistency in recommendations was evidenced by only a small proportion of meals and fewer snacks meeting the recommendations of all the agencies per their guidelines. Beverage recommendations were also inconsistent across the three agencies that provide recommendations (USDA, IOM, and CSPI). Most (65 percent - 95 percent) beverages advertised in advergames did not meet some of these recommendations.
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