Abusive advertising of food and drink products on Brazilian television.

In Brazil, any advertising strategies that take advantage of the child's judgment or induce consumers to make harmful health choices are considered abusive. However, the efficacy of restrictions on their use on television (TV) food advertising remains poorly understood. This study analysed the extent and nature of abusive techniques according to national regulations and patterns in their use in food-related ads. Cross-sectional studyrecorded the programming of the three most popular TV channels (6 am-12 am), during eight non-consecutive days, in April 2018. Data collection was based on the INFORMAS protocol and two national regulations. Descriptive analyses were used to describe the types of food ads and abusive techniques used in ultra-processed products (UPP) ads. Principal component analysis was applied to identify patterns of abusive marketing techniques and to relate them to specific food groups. More than 90% of food ads included at least one UPP. Overall, 10.1% of UPP ads targeted children and 57.7% used some kind of abusive technique directed to children and adolescents. Most ads contained messages inducing harmful health choices did not present adequate and clear information about the product and contained more than one type of abusive technique. Four out of five patterns in the use of abusive techniques in UPP ads were specifically directed to children, and fast-food meals were associated with three out of five patterns. The high abusiveness of food advertising in UPP ads should be considered a public health concern given their impact on children's food choices and health.

Analysing persuasive marketing of ultra-processed foods on Brazilian television.

OBJECTIVES: This study investigated the use of persuasive advertising strategies in ultra-processed food (UPF) advertisements broadcast on the three most popular free-to-air television channels in Brazil. METHODS: The programming of the selected channels was recorded on eight non-consecutive days from April 2018 (6:00 am-12:00 am). Information from each advertising piece was collected through an electronic questionnaire based on the INFORMAS protocol. Food products were classified according to the NOVA classification system. Marketing strategies were investigated in UPF advertisements and stratified into three groups. Principal component analysis was used to identify patterns of strategies. Linear regression models were employed to investigate the association between the patterns and food groups. RESULTS: In total, 90.77% of the food-related advertisements contained at least one UPF, and 96% of them included one or more persuasive advertising strategies. Five advertising patterns were identified and associated with the UPF food groups. CONCLUSIONS: The results showed that food advertising on Brazilian free television is marked by UPF, with the predominant use of persuasive advertising strategies, demonstrating a lack of enforcement of the current regulatory legislation in the country.

Maternal restrictive feeding practices for child weight control and associated characteristics / Prática alimentar materna de restrição para controle de peso do filho e características associadas

Abstract Objective: To identify associations between maternal restrictive feeding practices for child weight control and sociodemographic, behavioral, dietetic, and anthropometric characteristics. Methods: Cross-sectional study with mothers of children aged 2-8 years. Maternal feeding practices were measured by the Comprehensive Feeding Practices Questionnaire, in private schools in Brazil. Bivariate and multivariate associations were performed, using nonparametric analyses to estimate odds ratios and significance levels. Results: Maternal restrictive feeding practices for weight control were independently associated with the mother's perception of her child being a little overweight/overweight/obese (OR = 4.61, p = 0.001), greater concern about the child's overweight (OR = 2.61, p < 0.001), child's overweight/obesity/severe obesity (OR = 2.18, p < 0.001), and the child's greater intake of ultra-processed foods (OR = 1.40, p = 0.026). Conclusion: In this study, the risk variables identified for the use of the maternal restrictive feeding practices to control the child's weight can be used to provide education and guidance interventions in health and education networks directed to groups with similar characteristics to those of the studied population.

Resumo Objetivo: Identificar associações da prática alimentar materna de restrição para controle de peso do filho com características sociodemográficas, comportamentais, dietéticas e antropométricas. Métodos: Estudo transversal com mães de crianças de dois a oito anos. Práticas maternas foram mensuradas por meio do instrumento Comprehensive Feeding Practices Questionnaire, em escolas privadas no Brasil. Para testar associações univariadas e múltiplas, foram feitos testes não paramétricos para cálculo de razões de chance (OR) e níveis de significância (valor de p). Resultados: A restrição materna para controle do peso da criança foi independentemente associada com a percepção de que seu filho está um pouco gordo/gordo/muito gordo (OR = 4,61, p = 0,001), a preocupação quanto ao excesso de peso infantil (OR = 2,61, p < 0,001), e em relação às características da criança, com o sobrepeso/obesidade/obesidade grave (OR = 2,18, p < 0,001) e o consumo de alimentos ultraprocessados (OR = 1,40, p = 0,026). Conclusão: Neste estudo as variáveis de risco identificadas para o uso da prática materna de restrição para controle de peso do filho podem ser usadas para direcionar ações de educação e orientação nas redes de saúde e ensino, dirigidas a grupo com características similares às da população estudada.

Maternal restrictive feeding practices for child weight control and associated characteristics.

OBJECTIVE: To identify associations between maternal restrictive feeding practices for child weight control and sociodemographic, behavioral, dietetic, and anthropometric characteristics. METHODS: Cross-sectional study with mothers of children aged 2-8 years. Maternal feeding practices were measured by the Comprehensive Feeding Practices Questionnaire, in private schools in Brazil. Bivariate and multivariate associations were performed, using nonparametric analyses to estimate odds ratios and significance levels. RESULTS: Maternal restrictive feeding practices for weight control were independently associated with the mother's perception of her child being a little overweight/overweight/obese (OR=4.61, p=0.001), greater concern about the child's overweight (OR=2.61, p<0.001), child's overweight/obesity/severe obesity (OR= 2.18, p<0.001), and the child's greater intake of ultra-processed foods (OR=1.40, p=0.026). CONCLUSION: In this study, the risk variables identified for the use of the maternal restrictive feeding practices to control the child's weight can be used to provide education and guidance interventions in health and education networks directed to groups with similar characteristics to those of the studied population.

Parents Matter: Associations of Parental BMI and Feeding Behaviors With Child BMI in Brazilian Preschool and School-Aged Children.

Background: Brazil is undergoing nutritional transition and rates of obesity in preschool and school-aged children are increasing. Excess weight in the first years of life could predict excess weight in adulthood, making it essential to study risk factors in this population. Objective: Our goal was to investigate associations of parent feeding behaviors, as well as more distal familial influences including family SES and maternal and paternal weight, with BMI z-score in preschool and school-aged children in a Brazilian sample. Methods: Cross-sectional study. Data were collected in 14 Brazilian private schools. Parents of children aged 2-8 years (n = 1,071) completed a questionnaire assessing parent feeding behaviors, as well as sociodemographic and anthropometric information. Hierarchical linear regression models were fitted to investigate relationships between parent and child characteristics and child BMI z-score in preschool (2-5 years, n = 397) and school-aged (6-8 years, n = 618) children. Results: Final models indicated that higher maternal BMI and "restriction for weight control" were associated with higher child BMI z-score in both age groups (excessive weight, i.e., BMI ≥ +1 z-score, in preschoolers and school-aged children: 24.4 and 35.9%, respectively). In preschoolers only, "healthy eating guidance" and "pressure" were associated with lower child BMI z-score. For school-aged children, male sex, higher father BMI, and "restriction for health" were associated with higher child BMI z-score. Conclusions: Parent feeding behaviors and parent weight, as well as child sex, are associated with child BMI z-score, with evidence for differential relationships in preschool and school-aged children. Optimal obesity prevention and treatment strategies may differ by child age.

Factors associated with parental underestimation of child's weight status / Fatores associados à subestimação do status do peso da criança pelos pais

Abstract Objective The aim of this study was to examine the prevalence of parental misperception of child weight status, and identify socioeconomic, anthropometric, behavioral and dietary factors associated with underestimation. Method Cross-sectional study. Data was collected in 14 Brazilian private schools. Parents of children aged 2-8 years (n = 976) completed a self-reported questionnaire assessing their perception of their child's weight status, and sociodemographic, anthropometric, behavioral and dietary information. To measure the agreement between parental perception about child weight status and actual child weight status, the Kappa coefficient was estimated, and to investigate associations between parental underestimation and independent variables, chi-squared tests were performed, followed by multiple logistic regression, considering p ≤ 0.05 for statistical significance. Results Overall, 48.05% of the parents incorrectly classified their child's weight. Specifically, 45.08% underestimated their child's weight status, with just 3% of parents overestimating. Children with higher body mass index (OR = 2.03; p < 0.001) and boys (OR = 1.70; p < 0.001) were more likely to have their weight status underestimated by parents. Conclusion Since awareness of weight problems is essential for prevention and treatment, clinical practitioners should help parents at high risk of misperception to correctly evaluate their child's weight status.

Resumo Objetivo Analisar a prevalência de percepção errônea dos pais sobre o status do peso infantil e identificar fatores socioeconômicos, antropométricos, comportamentais e dietéticos associados à subestimação. Método Trata-se de um estudo transversal. Os dados foram coletados em 14 escolas particulares brasileiras. Pais de crianças de dois a oito anos de idade (n = 976) preencheram um questionário autoaplicável sobre sua percepção do estado nutricional do seu filho e informações sociodemográficas, antropométricas, comportamentais e dietéticas. Para medir o grau de concordância entre a percepção dos pais do peso do filho e o peso real do filho, estimamos o coeficiente Kappa e investigamos as associações entre subestimação do pai e variáveis independentes, calculamos o qui-quadrado seguido do modelo de regressão logística múltipla considerando p≤0,05 para significância estatística. Resultados Em geral, 48,05% dos pais classificaram incorretamente o peso de seus filhos; particularmente, 45,08% subestimaram o peso do seu filho e apenas 3% subestimaram o peso infantil. A regressão logística demonstrou que as crianças com maior índice de massa corporal (OR = 2,03; p < 0,001) e os meninos (OR = 1,70; p < 0,001) tinham maior probabilidade de ter seu peso subestimado pelos pais. Conclusão Médicos clínicos devem concentrar suas intervenções nessas crianças para ajudar os pais a avaliar corretamente o seu peso. A consciência dos pais sobre um problema de peso em crianças é essencial para a prevenção e tratamento da obesidade infantil e estilos de vida saudáveis.

Factors associated with parental underestimation of child's weight status.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to examine the prevalence of parental misperception of child weight status, and identify socioeconomic, anthropometric, behavioral and dietary factors associated with underestimation. METHOD: Cross-sectional study. Data was collected in 14 Brazilian private schools. Parents of children aged 2-8 years (n=976) completed a self-reported questionnaire assessing their perception of their child's weight status, and sociodemographic, anthropometric, behavioral and dietary information. To measure the agreement between parental perception about child weight status and actual child weight status, the Kappa coefficient was estimated, and to investigate associations between parental underestimation and independent variables, chi-squared tests were performed, followed by multiple logistic regression, considering p≤0.05 for statistical significance. RESULTS: Overall, 48.05% of the parents incorrectly classified their child's weight. Specifically, 45.08% underestimated their child's weight status, with just 3% of parents overestimating. Children with higher body mass index (OR=2.03; p<0.001) and boys (OR=1.70; p<0.001) were more likely to have their weight status underestimated by parents. CONCLUSION: Since awareness of weight problems is essential for prevention and treatment, clinical practitioners should help parents at high risk of misperception to correctly evaluate their child's weight status.