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Zorbas C, Martino F, Heneghan T, Potter J, Chisholm M, Cameron AJ, Sacks G, Ananthapavan J, Backholer K. Perceptions towards unhealthy food sponsorship in junior sports in Victoria, Australia. Aust N Z J Public Health 2023; 47:100024. [PMID: 36907000 DOI: 10.1016/j.anzjph.2023.100024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2022] [Revised: 11/21/2022] [Accepted: 12/11/2022] [Indexed: 03/12/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To explore Victorian parents' and club officials' engagement with, and attitudes towards, the sponsorship of junior sports by unhealthy food and beverage companies. METHODS We conducted online surveys with 504 parents of children participating in junior sports and 16 semi-structured interviews with junior sports club officials (from clubs that accepted unhealthy food sponsorship) in Victoria, Australia. RESULTS Most parents were concerned about children's exposure to sponsorship by unhealthy local (58% extremely, very or moderately concerned) and large food companies (63%) in junior sports. The views of sporting club officials were grouped into four themes: (1) the existing funding challenges for junior sports, (2) how junior sports sponsorship is community dependent, (3) how the perceived risks of sponsorship by unhealthy food companies are low and (4) the need for high-level regulations and support to transition towards healthier junior sports sponsorship. CONCLUSIONS Transitioning towards healthier junior sports sponsorship may be hindered by insufficient funding models and low concern for such actions by community leaders. IMPLICATIONS FOR PUBLIC HEALTH Policy actions from higher-level sporting governing bodies and governments are likely to be necessary to reduce harmful junior sports sponsorship, alongside restrictions on the marketing of unhealthy foods through other media and settings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christina Zorbas
- Deakin University, Global Centre for Preventive Health and Nutrition, Institute for Health Transformation, School of Health and Social Development, Faculty of Health, Geelong, Australia.
| | - Florentine Martino
- Deakin University, Global Centre for Preventive Health and Nutrition, Institute for Health Transformation, School of Health and Social Development, Faculty of Health, Geelong, Australia
| | - Tara Heneghan
- The Victorian Health Promotion Foundation (VicHealth), Australia
| | - Jane Potter
- The Victorian Health Promotion Foundation (VicHealth), Australia
| | - Melanie Chisholm
- The Victorian Health Promotion Foundation (VicHealth), Australia
| | - Adrian J Cameron
- Deakin University, Global Centre for Preventive Health and Nutrition, Institute for Health Transformation, School of Health and Social Development, Faculty of Health, Geelong, Australia
| | - Gary Sacks
- Deakin University, Global Centre for Preventive Health and Nutrition, Institute for Health Transformation, School of Health and Social Development, Faculty of Health, Geelong, Australia
| | - Jaithri Ananthapavan
- Deakin University, Global Centre for Preventive Health and Nutrition, Institute for Health Transformation, School of Health and Social Development, Faculty of Health, Geelong, Australia; Deakin University, Deakin Health Economics, Institute for Health Transformation, School of Health and Social Development, Faculty of Health, Geelong, Australia
| | - Kathryn Backholer
- Deakin University, Global Centre for Preventive Health and Nutrition, Institute for Health Transformation, School of Health and Social Development, Faculty of Health, Geelong, Australia
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Choice, Motives, and Mixed Messages: A Qualitative Photo-Based Inquiry of Parents' Perceptions of Food and Beverage Marketing to Children in Sport and Recreation Facilities. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:ijerph19052592. [PMID: 35270284 PMCID: PMC8909955 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph19052592] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2021] [Revised: 02/15/2022] [Accepted: 02/17/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
Unhealthy food and beverage availability and sponsorship undermine healthy food practices in sport and recreation. We conducted a focused ethnography with reflexive photo-interviewing to examine parents' awareness, reactions, and experiences of food and beverage marketing in and around their children's physical activity in public sport and recreation facilities. Eleven parents took photos of what they thought their facility was 'saying about food and eating'. Photos guided semi-structured interviews on the '4Ps' of marketing (product, pricing, placement, promotion). Thematic analysis was conducted by holistic coding followed by in vivo, versus, and value coding. Photo-taking increased parents' awareness of food marketing in facilities. Reactions to food and beverage marketing were positive or negative depending on parents' perspectives of healthy food availability (choice), marketers' motives, and mixed messages within the facility. Parents experienced their children requesting 'junk' food at the facility leading to parents actively attempting to reduce the frequency of these requests. Healthy eating promotion in sport and recreation facilities was misaligned with the foods and beverages available which contributed to parents' distrust of social marketing initiatives. Critically evaluating the alignment of commercial and social marketing in recreation and sport may help inform effective healthy eating interventions that are accepted and supported by parents.
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Building Public Health Capacity through Organizational Change in the Sport System: A Multiple-Case Study within Australian Gymnastics. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2021; 18:ijerph18136726. [PMID: 34206499 PMCID: PMC8297274 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph18136726] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2021] [Revised: 06/17/2021] [Accepted: 06/18/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Sports clubs increasingly are settings for health promotion initiatives. This study explored organizational change processes and perceived facilitators and barriers relevant to implementing a health promotion initiative within gymnastics settings in New South Wales (NSW), Australia. A multiple-case design investigated the experiences of the state association (Gymnastics NSW) and five clubs from one region of NSW in a participatory Health-Promoting Gymnastics Clubs (HPGC) program. The program aimed to build the capacity of Gymnastics NSW to support affiliated clubs to become health-promoting settings. Interviews with organizational representatives explored their experiences of the program and identified factors that enabled or inhibited program adoption, implementation and sustainability. Facilitators and barriers identified included leadership and champions; organizational capacity and culture; priorities and timing; and characteristics of the HPGC framework. This multi-level, organizational change intervention demonstrated potential to create health-promoting gymnastics settings. Tailoring strategies in diverse club contexts required involvement of organizational leaders in program development and action planning. Despite positive impacts, pre-existing organizational culture inhibited integration of health promotion as a core value. Sustained organizational change may result from professional regulatory requirements (e.g., accreditation and affiliation), and policy directives and funding (for organizational change, not program delivery) from relevant government departments.
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A state-wide audit of unhealthy sponsorship within junior sporting clubs in Victoria, Australia. Public Health Nutr 2021; 24:3797-3804. [PMID: 34034837 DOI: 10.1017/s1368980021002159] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To systematically audit the extent of unhealthy sponsorship within junior community sporting clubs and ascertain whether differences exist across geographical areas and sport types. DESIGN Club sponsorship data were assessed to determine the extent of unhealthy food/beverage, alcohol and gambling sponsorship using a cross-sectional design. Differences across geographical areas were assessed using logistic regressions. SETTING A stratified random sampling procedure was used to select thirty communities across the state of Victoria, Australia. Within each community, local clubs across the top eight participating junior sports were selected for audit. PARTICIPANTS Sponsorship data were collected from 191 club websites and Facebook pages in September-November 2019. RESULTS Unhealthy sponsorships represented 8·9 % of all identified sponsorship arrangements. A quarter of all clubs accepted alcohol (25·6 %) and unhealthy food sponsors (25·9 %), and one-fifth of all clubs accepted high-risk food (unhealthy brands with large market share) (18·1 %) and gambling sponsors (20·4 %). Acceptance of unhealthy sponsorship differed across sport types with football, netball, cricket and soccer clubs having the greatest numbers. Compared with metro areas, a significantly greater proportion of sporting clubs in regional areas were affiliated with unhealthy food (32·7 % v. 19·6 %) and high-risk food sponsors (26·9 % v. 9·8 %). A higher proportion of clubs in low socio-economic status (SES), compared with the high SES areas, were affiliated with alcohol (33·9 % v. 16·5 %) and gambling sponsors (27·4 % v. 12·6 %). CONCLUSION Victorian children participating in community junior sports are being exposed to marketing of unhealthy brands and products. Public health intervention is necessary to protect children from this exposure.
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Westberg K, Stavros C, Parker L, Powell A, Martin DM, Worsley A, Reid M, Fouvy D. Promoting healthy eating in the community sport setting: a scoping review. Health Promot Int 2021; 37:6153943. [PMID: 33647956 DOI: 10.1093/heapro/daab030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Community sport organizations promote beneficial health outcomes such as social connection and physical activity, yet they can also facilitate the consumption of unhealthy food and beverages. To provide a foundation for future research and to inform intervention efforts in this context, this scoping review summarizes existing knowledge of the factors that contribute to unhealthy food and beverage consumption in the community sport setting and explores the interventions to promote healthier choices. Using a qualitative process aligned with the nature of our aims, 228 articles were initially identified and subjected to a systemized appraisal, resulting in 45 articles pertinent to the review. The findings identify that the two key factors contributing to unhealthy food choices are the limited availability of healthy options within the sport setting and the presence of unhealthy food and beverage sponsorship. These factors contribute to the normalization of unhealthy eating in this context and health promotion interventions have had limited success. Barriers to change primarily stem from the revenue implications of removing unhealthy food sponsors, lack of organizational capabilities and resources, and consumer preference for unhealthy options. Public health practitioners seeking to intervene in this setting should consider adopting practices used in other settings outside of the sport environment, including the use of technology, the role of peers and mentors and the co-production of impactful material. Community sport plays a vital role in delivering health benefits but must do more to stem its facilitation of a potentially unhealthy consumptive environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kate Westberg
- School of Economics, Finance and Marketing, RMIT University, 124 La Trobe Street, Melbourne, Victoria 3000, Australia
| | - Constantino Stavros
- School of Economics, Finance and Marketing, RMIT University, 124 La Trobe Street, Melbourne, Victoria 3000, Australia
| | - Lukas Parker
- School of Media and Communication, RMIT University, 124 La Trobe Street, Melbourne, Victoria 3000, Australia
| | - Ashleigh Powell
- School of Economics, Finance and Marketing, RMIT University, 124 La Trobe Street, Melbourne, Victoria 3000, Australia
| | - Diane M Martin
- School of Economics, Finance and Marketing, RMIT University, 124 La Trobe Street, Melbourne, Victoria 3000, Australia
| | - Anthony Worsley
- School of Exercise and Nutrition Science, Deakin University, 221 Burwood Highway, Burwood, Victoria 3125, Australia
| | - Mike Reid
- School of Economics, Finance and Marketing, RMIT University, 124 La Trobe Street, Melbourne, Victoria 3000, Australia
| | - David Fouvy
- School of Media and Communication, RMIT University, 124 La Trobe Street, Melbourne, Victoria 3000, Australia
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Prowse RJL, Naylor PJ, Olstad DL, Storey K, Carson V, Mâsse LC, Kirk SFL, Raine KD. Impact of a Capacity-Building Intervention on Food Marketing Features in Recreation Facilities. JOURNAL OF NUTRITION EDUCATION AND BEHAVIOR 2020; 52:935-943. [PMID: 32417119 DOI: 10.1016/j.jneb.2020.03.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2019] [Revised: 03/26/2020] [Accepted: 03/29/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To explore the impact of a capacity-building intervention (CBI) to support implementing provincial nutrition guidelines on food marketing in recreation facilities (RFs). DESIGN Randomized controlled trial within a natural experiment: food marketing in RFs from 3 guideline provinces randomly assigned to intervention (GL+CBI) or comparison (GL-ONLY) was compared with facilities in 1 province without guidelines (NO-GL). Food marketing was assessed by the Food and Beverage Marketing Assessment Tool for Settings. SETTING Canadian provinces with/without voluntary nutrition guidelines for RFs. PARTICIPANTS 51 RFs. INTERVENTION 18-month CBI. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Change in Food and Beverage Marketing Assessment Tool for Settings scores and marketing features between baseline and follow-up across groups. ANALYSIS Kruskal-Wallis with post hoc Mann-Whitney U tests. RESULTS No significant differences in food marketing features between baseline and follow-up across groups except for a change in food marketing frequency (P = 0.045). The increase in frequency in NO-GL (median, 6.0; interquartile range, -2.0 to 8.5) was significantly greater than changes in the GL+CBI (P = 0.033) and GL-ONLY sites (P = 0.049). CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS Capacity-building was not associated with improved food marketing features potentially because of nonmandated nutrition guidelines, low priority for change, and vague or narrow facility goals and guidelines. Nutrition guidelines with specific unhealthy food marketing restrictions should be mandated and supported.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rachel J L Prowse
- School of Public Health, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.
| | - Patti-Jean Naylor
- School of Exercise Science, Physical and Health Education, University of Victoria, Victoria, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Dana L Olstad
- Department of Community Health Sciences, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Kate Storey
- School of Public Health, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - Valerie Carson
- Faculty of Physical Education and Recreation, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - Louise C Mâsse
- BC Children's Hospital Research Institute, School of Population and Public Health, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Sara F L Kirk
- Healthy Populations Institute, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
| | - Kim D Raine
- School of Public Health, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
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Attitudes of sports organisation members to junk food sponsorship. Public Health 2020; 185:212-217. [PMID: 32653631 DOI: 10.1016/j.puhe.2020.04.043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2019] [Revised: 03/02/2020] [Accepted: 04/30/2020] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To explore sports organisation members' attitudes to sponsorship of sport by energy-dense, nutrient-poor food and drink ('junk food') brands. STUDY DESIGN The study design is a cross-sectional study. METHODS An online survey of adult members of three sports organisations that did not accept junk food sponsorship in Victoria, Australia in 2018: one was responsible for an elite team in a national competition (5000-10,000 members); one managed a team sport competition across Victoria (50,000-100,000 registered junior and adult participants, referees and coaches); and one administered a junior team sport competition for boys and girls in a major city (10,000-15,000 participants). RESULTS Most (71%) of the 2224 respondents reported it was important/very important that their organisation did not accept junk food sponsorship. A higher proportion was concerned/very concerned about junk food companies sponsoring children's sport (60%) compared with such companies sponsoring elite (49%, P < 0.001) or community adult (39%, P < 0.001) sport. A higher proportion of respondents were likely/very likely to support a policy that restricted junk food sponsorship of children's sport (84%), compared with a policy restricting sponsorship of elite (76%, P > 0.001) and adult community (74%, P > 0.001) sport. Two-thirds of respondents supported restricting junk food companies from sponsoring sport, even if fees for children's (66%) and community adult (65%) sport increased, or if membership and attendance costs for elite sport supporters increased (63%). CONCLUSIONS In the Australian context of this study, junk food sponsorship of sport, particularly children's sport, is a concern to members of sports organisations. Although still high, support for restricting such sponsorship declines if members perceive it will lead to increases in participation costs and decreases in participation opportunities. Initiatives restricting junk food sponsorship of sport are likely to receive strong support from the sports community, particularly when the focus is on children's sport, and participation costs and opportunities are not negatively impacted.
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The Extent and Nature of Food and Beverage Company Sponsorship of Children's Sports Clubs in Canada: A Pilot Study. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2020; 17:ijerph17093023. [PMID: 32349246 PMCID: PMC7246505 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph17093023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2020] [Revised: 04/16/2020] [Accepted: 04/18/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Food and beverage marketing is considered a determinant of childhood obesity. Sponsorship is a marketing technique used by the food industry to target young people when they are engaged in sports. The purpose of this study was to document the frequency and nature of food company sponsorship of children’s sports clubs in Ottawa, Canada. Using national data on sports participation, the five most popular sports among Canadian children aged 4–15 years were first selected for inclusion in the study and relevant sports clubs located in Ottawa (Canada) were then identified. Sports club websites were reviewed between September and December 2018 for evidence of club sponsorship. Food company sponsors were identified and classified by food category. Of the 67 sports clubs identified, 40% received some form of food company sponsorship. Overall, sports clubs had 312 commercial and noncommercial sponsors. Food companies constituted 16% of total sponsors and were the second most frequent type of sponsor after sports-related goods, services, and retailers (25%). Fast food restaurants and other restaurants accounted for 45% and 41% of food company sponsors, respectively. Food company sponsorship of children’s sports clubs is frequent with some promoting companies or brands associated with unhealthy foods. Policymakers should consider restricting the sponsorship of children’s sports clubs by food companies that largely sell or promote unhealthy foods.
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Gonzalez S, Kingsland M, Hall A, Clinton‐McHarg T, Lecathelinais C, Zukowski N, Milner S, Sherker S, Rogers B, Doran C, Brooke D, Wiggers J, Wolfenden L. Alcohol and fast food sponsorship in sporting clubs with junior teams participating in the ‘Good Sports’ program: a cross‐sectional study. Aust N Z J Public Health 2020; 44:145-151. [DOI: 10.1111/1753-6405.12954] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2019] [Revised: 08/01/2019] [Accepted: 11/01/2019] [Indexed: 01/28/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Sharleen Gonzalez
- School of Medicine and Public HealthThe University of Newcastle New South Wales
- Hunter New England Population Health New South Wales
| | - Melanie Kingsland
- School of Medicine and Public HealthThe University of Newcastle New South Wales
- Hunter New England Population Health New South Wales
| | - Alix Hall
- School of Medicine and Public HealthThe University of Newcastle New South Wales
- Hunter New England Population Health New South Wales
| | - Tara Clinton‐McHarg
- School of Medicine and Public HealthThe University of Newcastle New South Wales
| | | | | | | | - Shauna Sherker
- School of Medicine and Public HealthThe University of Newcastle New South Wales
| | | | - Christopher Doran
- Centre for Indigenous Health Equity ResearchCentral Queensland University Queensland
| | | | - John Wiggers
- School of Medicine and Public HealthThe University of Newcastle New South Wales
- Hunter New England Population Health New South Wales
| | - Luke Wolfenden
- School of Medicine and Public HealthThe University of Newcastle New South Wales
- Hunter New England Population Health New South Wales
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Parents' reactions to unhealthy food v. pro-health sponsorship options for children's sport: an experimental study. Public Health Nutr 2020; 23:727-737. [PMID: 31915086 DOI: 10.1017/s1368980019003318] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To explore parents' responses to sponsorship of children's sport by unhealthy food brands and two alternative pro-health sponsorship options. DESIGN Between-subjects online experiment with four sponsorship conditions: (i) non-food branding (control); (ii) unhealthy food branding; (iii) healthier food branding; (iv) public health nutrition campaign branding. Participants were shown a short video and a promotional flyer for a fictional junior sports programme, with sponsor content representing their assigned brand. Afterwards, participants were asked a series of questions assessing their brand awareness, brand attitudes and preference for food sponsor branded products. SETTING Australia. PARTICIPANTS Australian parents (n 1331) of children aged 6-9 years. RESULTS Compared with the control condition, unhealthy food sponsorship promoted increased awareness, branded product preferences and favourable attitudes towards unhealthy food sponsor brands. Healthier food sponsorship promoted similar effects for healthier food sponsor brands, except there was no significant increase in positive attitudes towards these brands. Sponsorship by public health nutrition campaigns promoted more negative attitudes towards unhealthy food sponsor brands and increased preference for healthier food sponsor branded products. Overall, healthier food sponsors and public health campaign sponsors were perceived to have better programme-sponsor fit and to be more appropriate sponsors of children's sport than unhealthy food sponsors. CONCLUSIONS Restrictions on unhealthy food sponsorship of children's sport are needed to prevent unhealthy food brands from exploiting junior sport sponsorship to enhance their appeal. Sponsorship of children's sport by healthier food brands or public health nutrition campaigns could help promote healthier food choices among parents.
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Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW This article investigates the role of food and beverage sponsorship of sports in influencing dietary behaviour, and ultimately obesity, focusing on research published in the past 5 years. A systematic strategy was used to search the health science, social science and marketing databases to identify peer-reviewed literature on food and non-alcoholic beverage company sponsorship of sport published in English from 2015 to 2019. RECENT FINDINGS Sixteen discrete studies were identified: six content analyses, two qualitative studies, four cross-sectional surveys and four experimental studies. Findings indicate sports sponsorship is widely used to promote unhealthy foods through professional and community sport, prompting increased awareness and preference for sponsor products. Most studies assessed self-reported responses to sponsorship, with a lack of behavioural data on food purchasing and consumption. Sports sponsorship by unhealthy food brands achieves vast population reach and exposure, promoting increased brand awareness and preference for sponsor products. Research is needed to improve our understanding of the relationship between food and beverage sponsorship and energy intake. Research evaluating the efficacy of strategies to reduce spectator's exposure to unhealthy sports sponsorship is also needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Helen Dixon
- Centre for Behavioural Research in Cancer, Cancer Council Victoria, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
- Melbourne School of Psychological Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia.
- School of Psychology, Faculty of Health Sciences, Curtin University, Bentley, Australia.
| | - Angelyna Lee
- Centre for Behavioural Research in Cancer, Cancer Council Victoria, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Maree Scully
- Centre for Behavioural Research in Cancer, Cancer Council Victoria, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
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Barriers to rejecting junk food sponsorship in sport—a formative evaluation using concept mapping. Public Health 2019; 166:1-9. [DOI: 10.1016/j.puhe.2018.09.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2018] [Revised: 09/07/2018] [Accepted: 09/25/2018] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
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Sartori A, Stoneham M, Edmunds M. Unhealthy sponsorship in sport: a case study of the AFL. Aust N Z J Public Health 2018; 42:474-479. [PMID: 30152024 DOI: 10.1111/1753-6405.12820] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2017] [Revised: 04/01/2018] [Accepted: 06/01/2018] [Indexed: 01/23/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To analyse the presence of unhealthy sponsorship on Australian Football League (AFL) club websites and player uniforms. METHODS An audit of AFL club websites and playing uniforms identified sponsors and used a traffic light system to categorise sponsors. Food and beverage sponsors were classified as Red, Amber or Green using nutrient criteria. Alcohol sponsors were classified as Red. Gambling sponsors were classified as Red (wagering companies and casinos) or Amber (venues that provide gambling and other services). Sponsors promoting healthy lifestyle concepts were classified as Green. All other sponsors were classified as Other. RESULTS Unhealthy sponsorship on AFL club websites and player uniforms is extensive. All 18 clubs had at least one Red sponsor. Fifteen clubs were sponsored by alcohol companies. Five clubs featured Red sponsor logos on their playing uniforms. Twelve clubs had Green sponsors. No clubs displayed Green sponsors on their playing uniforms. CONCLUSIONS This study identified that unhealthy sponsorship is prevalent on AFL club websites and playing uniforms. Implications for public health: Sponsorship offers companies an avenue to expose children and young people to their brand, encouraging a connection with that brand. The AFL could reinforce healthy lifestyle choices by shifting the focus away from the visual presence of unhealthy sponsorship, while taking steps to ensure that clubs remain commercially viable. Policy makers are encouraged to consider innovative health promotion strategies and work with sporting clubs and codes to ensure healthy messages are prominent.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ainslie Sartori
- Public Health Advocacy Institute of Western Australia, Curtin University, Western Australia
| | - Melissa Stoneham
- Public Health Advocacy Institute of Western Australia, Curtin University, Western Australia
| | - Melinda Edmunds
- Public Health Advocacy Institute of Western Australia, Curtin University, Western Australia
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Community junior sport sponsorship: an online experiment assessing children’s responses to unhealthy food v. pro-health sponsorship options. Public Health Nutr 2017; 21:1176-1185. [DOI: 10.1017/s1368980017003561] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
AbstractObjectiveTo explore children’s responses to sponsorship of community junior sport by unhealthy food brands and investigate the utility of alternative, pro-health sponsorship options.DesignBetween-subjects experiment, with four sponsorship conditions: A, non-food branding (control); B, unhealthy food branding; C, healthier food branding; D, obesity prevention campaign branding.SettingOnline experiment conducted in schools. Participants were shown a junior sports pack for their favourite sport that contained merchandise with branding representing their assigned sponsorship condition. Participants viewed and rated the sports pack, completed a distractor task, then completed questions assessing brand awareness, brand attitudes and preference for food sponsors’ products.SubjectsStudents in grades 1 to 3 (aged 5–10 years; n 1124) from schools in metropolitan Melbourne, Australia.ResultsCompared with the control condition, there were no significant effects of unhealthy food branding on awareness of, attitudes towards or preference for these brands. Exposure to healthier food branding prompted a significant increase in the proportion of children aware of these brands, but did not impact attitudes towards or preference for these brands. Exposure to either healthier food branding or obesity prevention campaign branding prompted a significant reduction in the proportion of children showing a preference for unhealthy food sponsor products.ConclusionsThe sponsorship of children’s sport by healthier food brands may promote awareness of these brands and healthier sponsorship branding may reduce preferences for some unhealthy food products. Establishing and implementing healthy sponsor criteria in sports clubs could forge healthier sponsorship arrangements and help phase out unhealthy food and beverage sponsors.
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