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Articles in this category:  10.03.2008 / Obesity: European Parliament study questions advertising self-regulation
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A recently published study from the European Parliament recognizes that advertising self-regulation can play a role, but questions to what extent, stating that codes have “only general provisions for the quality of advertising, paying special attention to form, content and the respect of national laws”. The study entitled: “The Effect of Advertising and Marketing Practices on Child Obesity” is based on the premise that many factors influence obesity, with food advertising being one. While focusing mainly on broadcast media, print and outdoor advertising are touched on.
The study acknowledges a correlation between advertising and obesity as being associative and that the correlation for obesity may be due to other environmental or societal factors. However, while admitting that there is not yet clear evidence of this correlation as regards advertising, the study concludes that policy recommendations should be based on the precautionary principle.
The study also recommends that advertisers should adopt an educational approach to advertising aimed at children, to encourage healthier eating and physical exercise, taking advertisements promoting the use of seat belts or discourage no drink-driving as examples.
The research paper was authored by Italian academics for the parliament's Environment and Public Health Committee. Such studies are routinely carried out by parliamentary committees and provide insights into the future policy orientations of the responsible MEPs.
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