All aspects of food marketing to children and its effects on children’s diet and obesity

Childhood obesity is a major problem in the West, and is a developing problem in other countries. Childhood obesity, and related health problems, has been linked to the extensive marketing of unhealthy food to children. Research in this area can consider a number of approaches to this topic. For example, does food advertising in new media (like the Internet) have more or less effect on children’s health then traditional television advertising? At what age do children recognize and understand the marketing messages in food advertisements? Are children aware of marketing techniques like product placement, or viral messages? Does recognizing a particular marketing approach lessen the effect of that marketing or not? When do children realize that food advertising is for the benefit of the manufacturer and not for the benefit of the consumer?