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Slater S, Lawrence M, Wood B, Serodio P, Baker P. Corporate interest groups and their implications for global food governance: mapping and analysing the global corporate influence network of the transnational ultra-processed food industry. Global Health 2024; 20:16. [PMID: 38388413 PMCID: PMC10882744 DOI: 10.1186/s12992-024-01020-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2023] [Accepted: 02/07/2024] [Indexed: 02/24/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND A major challenge to transforming food systems to promote human health and sustainable development is the global rise in the manufacture and consumption of ultra-processed foods (UPFs). A key driver of this dietary transition is the globalization of UPF corporations, and their organized corporate political activity (CPA) intended to counter opposition and block government regulation. UPF industry CPA and the corporate interest groups who lobby on their behalf have been well described at the national level, however, at the global level, this network has not been systematically characterized. This study aims to map, analyse, and describe this network, and discuss the implications for global food policy action on UPFs, global food governance (GFG), and food systems transformation. METHODS We conducted a network analysis of the declared interest group memberships of the world's leading UPF corporations, extracted from web sources, company reports, and relevant academic and grey literature. Data on the characteristics of these interest groups were further extracted for analysis, including year founded, level, type, and headquarter location. RESULTS We identified 268 interest groups affiliated with the UPF industry. The UPF manufacturers Nestlé (n = 171), The Coca-Cola Company (n = 147), Unilever (n = 142), PepsiCo (n = 138), and Danone (n = 113) had the greatest number of memberships, indicating strong centrality in coordinating the network. We found that this network operates at all levels, yet key actors now predominantly coordinate globally through multistakeholder channels in GFG. The most common interest group types were sustainability/corporate social responsibility/multistakeholder initiatives, followed by branding and advertising, and food manufacturing and retail. Most corporate interest groups are headquartered where they can access powerful government and GFG decision-makers, nearly one-third in Washington DC and Brussels, and the rest in capital cities of major national markets for UPFs. CONCLUSIONS The UPF industry, and especially its leading corporations, coordinate a global network of interest groups spanning multiple levels, jurisdictions, and governance spaces. This represents a major structural feature of global food and health governance systems, which arguably poses major challenges for actions to attenuate the harms of UPFs, and to realising of healthy and sustainable food systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Scott Slater
- School of Exercise and Nutrition Sciences, Deakin University, Burwood, VIC, Australia.
| | - Mark Lawrence
- School of Exercise and Nutrition Sciences, Deakin University, Burwood, VIC, Australia
- Institute for Physical Activity and Nutrition, Deakin University, Geelong, VIC, Australia
| | - Benjamin Wood
- Global Centre for Preventive Health and Nutrition, Institute for Health Transformation, Deakin University, Geelong, VIC, Australia
| | - Paulo Serodio
- Institute for Social and Economic Research, University of Essex, Wivenhoe Park, UK
| | - Phillip Baker
- School of Exercise and Nutrition Sciences, Deakin University, Burwood, VIC, Australia
- Institute for Physical Activity and Nutrition, Deakin University, Geelong, VIC, Australia
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Kamin-Friedman S, Davidovitch N, Yang YT. Israel's repeal of a sweet beverages tax harms public health. Front Public Health 2023; 11:1231709. [PMID: 38162613 PMCID: PMC10755473 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2023.1231709] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2023] [Accepted: 11/23/2023] [Indexed: 01/03/2024] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Shelly Kamin-Friedman
- Department of Health Policy and Management, Faculty of Health Sciences, School of Public Health, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Be'er Sheva, Israel
| | - Nadav Davidovitch
- Department of Health Policy and Management, Faculty of Health Sciences, School of Public Health, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Be'er Sheva, Israel
| | - Y. Tony Yang
- Center for Health Policy and Media Engagement, George Washington University, Washington, DC, United States
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Lara-Castor L, Micha R, Cudhea F, Miller V, Shi P, Zhang J, Sharib JR, Erndt-Marino J, Cash SB, Mozaffarian D. Sugar-sweetened beverage intakes among adults between 1990 and 2018 in 185 countries. Nat Commun 2023; 14:5957. [PMID: 37788998 PMCID: PMC10614169 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-41269-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2023] [Accepted: 08/29/2023] [Indexed: 10/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs) are associated with cardiometabolic diseases and social inequities. For most nations, recent estimates and trends of intake are not available; nor variation by education or urbanicity. We investigated SSB intakes among adults between 1990 and 2018 in 185 countries, stratified subnationally by age, sex, education, and rural/urban residence, using data from the Global Dietary Database. In 2018, mean global SSB intake was 2.7 (8 oz = 248 grams) servings/week (95% UI 2.5-2.9) (range: 0.7 (0.5-1.1) in South Asia to 7.8 (7.1-8.6) in Latin America/Caribbean). Intakes were higher in male vs. female, younger vs. older, more vs. less educated, and urban vs. rural adults. Variations by education and urbanicity were largest in Sub-Saharan Africa. Between 1990 and 2018, SSB intakes increased by +0.37 (+0.29, +0.47), with the largest increase in Sub-Saharan Africa. These findings inform intervention, surveillance, and policy actions worldwide, highlighting the growing problem of SSBs for public health in Sub-Saharan Africa.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Lara-Castor
- Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy, Tufts University, Boston, MA, USA.
| | - Renata Micha
- Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy, Tufts University, Boston, MA, USA
- University of Thessaly, Volos, Greece
| | - Frederick Cudhea
- Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy, Tufts University, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Victoria Miller
- Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy, Tufts University, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Medicine, McMaster University, Hamilton, Canada
- Population Health Research Institute, Hamilton, Canada
| | - Peilin Shi
- Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy, Tufts University, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Jianyi Zhang
- Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy, Tufts University, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Julia R Sharib
- Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy, Tufts University, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Josh Erndt-Marino
- Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy, Tufts University, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Sean B Cash
- Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy, Tufts University, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Dariush Mozaffarian
- Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy, Tufts University, Boston, MA, USA.
- Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA.
- Department of Medicine, Tufts Medical Center, Boston, MA, USA.
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Elliott LM, Waqa GD, Dalglish SL, Topp SM. A sweet deal for domestic industry: the political economy and framing of Vanuatu's sugar-sweetened beverage tax. BMJ Glob Health 2023; 8:e012025. [PMID: 37813448 PMCID: PMC10565185 DOI: 10.1136/bmjgh-2023-012025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2023] [Accepted: 05/02/2023] [Indexed: 10/13/2023] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The Government of Vanuatu introduced an excise tax on sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs) in 2015. While lauded for its alignment with the WHO's Best Buys recommendations for addressing non-communicable diseases (NCDs), little is known about the tax's adoption process or whose interests it serves. METHODS Using case study methodology, this study examined how and why Vanuatu's SSB tax was introduced. Policy documents, key informant interviews (n=33) and direct observations were analysed using theories of policy analysis, power analysis and postcolonial theory to map the policy's adoption, surrounding political economy and the ideas, interests and institutions that shaped the tax and its framing. RESULTS The SSB tax emerged during a politically and economically unstable time in Vanuatu's history. The tax's links to the national health agenda were tenuous despite its ostensible framing as a way to combat NCDs. Rather, the tax was designed to respond to tightening economic and trade conditions. Spearheaded by several finance-focused bureaucrats, and with limited input from health personnel, the tax targeted less frequently consumed carbonated SSBs (which are mostly imported) without any revenue reinvestments into health. Driven by the desire to generate much-needed government revenue and instal domestic protections via selective implementation and carve-outs for local producers, the Vanuatu SSB tax did meet national objectives, just not the dual health and economic 'win-win' projected by the NCD Best Buys. CONCLUSION Vanuatu's SSB tax adoption process reveals the limitations of decontextualised policy recommendations, such as the NCD Best Buys, whose framing may be overcome by local political realities. This research highlights the need for further political economy considerations in global health recommendations, since contextual forces and power dynamics are key to shaping both how and why policies are enacted and also whose interest they serve.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lana M Elliott
- College of Public Health, Medical and Veterinary Sciences, James Cook University, Townsville, Queensland, Australia
- School of Public Health and Social Work, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Gade D Waqa
- Pacific Research Centre for the Prevention of Obesity and Non-Communicable Diseases (C-POND), Fiji Institute of Pacific Health Research, Fiji National University, Suva, Fiji
| | - Sarah L Dalglish
- Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
- Institute for Global Health, University College London, London, UK
| | - Stephanie M Topp
- College of Public Health, Medical and Veterinary Sciences, James Cook University, Townsville, Queensland, Australia
- Nossal Institute for Global Health, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
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Crosbie E, Otero Alvarez MG, Cao M, Vejar Renteria LS, Rodriguez E, Larrañaga Flota A, Carriedo A. Implementing front-of-pack nutrition warning labels in Mexico: important lessons for low- and middle-income countries. Public Health Nutr 2023; 26:2149-2161. [PMID: 37519233 PMCID: PMC10564596 DOI: 10.1017/s1368980023001441] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2022] [Revised: 06/13/2023] [Accepted: 07/17/2023] [Indexed: 08/01/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To analyse the implementation of front-of-pack nutrition labelling (FOPNL) in Mexico. DESIGN Review of publicly accessible documents, including legislative websites, news sources, and government, intergovernmental, and advocacy reports. Usage of the policy cycle model to analyse the implementation and evaluation stages of Mexico's General Health Law, amended with FOPNL (2019-2022). RESULTS In October 2019, the government published a draft modification of the Norma Oficial Mexicana (Official Mexican Standard) to regulate and enforce a new FOPNL warning label system. A 60-d public consultation period followed (October-December 2019), and the regulation was published in March 2020 and implementation began in October 2020. An analysis of nine key provisions of the Standard revealed that the food and beverage industry and its allies weakened some original provisions including health claims, warnings for added sweeteners and display areas. On the other hand, local and international public health groups maintained key regulations including the ban on cartoon character advertisements, standardised portions and nutrient criteria following international best practices. Early implementation appears to have high compliance and helped contribute to reformulating unhealthy products. Continued barriers to implementation include industry efforts to create double fronts and market their cartoon characters on social media and through digitalised marketing. CONCLUSION Early success in implementing the new FOPNL system in Mexico was the result of an inclusive and participatory regulatory process dedicated to maintaining public health advances, local and international health advocacy support, and continued monitoring. Other countries proposing and enacting FOPNL should learn from the Mexican experience to maintain scientifically proven best practices, counter industry barriers and minimise delays in implementation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eric Crosbie
- School of Public Health, University of Nevada Reno, Reno, NV89557, USA
- Ozmen Institute for Global Studies, University of Nevada Reno, Reno, NV, USA
| | | | - Michelle Cao
- School of Public Health, University of Nevada Reno, Reno, NV89557, USA
| | | | | | | | - Angela Carriedo
- Department of Health, University of Bath, Bath, UK
- World Public Health Nutrition Association, London, UK
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Lacy-Nichols J, Cullerton K. A proposal for systematic monitoring of the commercial determinants of health: a pilot study assessing the feasibility of monitoring lobbying and political donations in Australia. Global Health 2023; 19:2. [PMID: 36611039 PMCID: PMC9824991 DOI: 10.1186/s12992-022-00900-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2022] [Accepted: 12/08/2022] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The commercial determinants of health include a range of practices to promote business interests, often at the expense of public health. Corporate political practices, such as lobbying and campaign donations, are used to influence policy makers and foster a political and regulatory environment conducive to business interests. Despite recognition of their public health importance, thus far there are relatively few efforts to systematically monitor commercial political practices. METHODS A pilot study was conducted to explore the feasibility of systematically monitoring two political practices - lobbying and political contributions - for 'harmful industries' (alcohol, gambling, ultra-processed food and tobacco industries) in Australia. Potential data sources were reviewed to compare data availability and detail. Two publicly available datasets were selected for the pilot: ministerial diaries for New South Wales and annual donor filings from the Australian Electoral Commission. Google Data Studio was used to analyse and visualise findings. RESULTS: The pilot study resulted in the creation of several interactive charts and dashboards that supported analysis and interrogation of the data. These charts helped to easily convey the volume of lobbying and political donations, as well as changes over time. For example, we found that between July 2014 and December 2020, NSW ministers had 20,607 meetings, of which 634 meetings were with harmful industries. And between 1998 and 2020, a total of $576,519,472 disclosed donations were made to political parties and other entities, of which $35,823,937 were from harmful industries. CONCLUSIONS Opportunities to develop a program to monitor commercial political practices face several challenges including access barriers arising from poor availability and detail of data, technical barriers arising from the format of data disclosures and coding challenges arising from the diverse nature of the commercial sector. Despite these challenges, our pilot study demonstrates the potential to implement a monitoring program and to expand its scope to other commercial determinants of health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer Lacy-Nichols
- Melbourne School of Population and Global Health, Centre for Health Policy, The University of Melbourne, Level 5, 207 Bouverie St, Melbourne, VIC, 3010, Australia.
| | - Katherine Cullerton
- grid.1003.20000 0000 9320 7537School of Public Health, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia
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Case KK, Pineda E, Olney J, Segal AB, Sassi F. The 'sugar tax' in Bermuda: a mixed methods study of general population and key stakeholder perceptions. BMC Public Health 2022; 22:1557. [PMID: 35974346 PMCID: PMC9379233 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-022-13945-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2022] [Accepted: 08/02/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Taxes on discretionary foods and sugar-sweetened beverages have emerged as a strategy for health promotion. Between 2018–2019, the Bermuda government introduced a phased tax on imported sugar-sweetened beverages, confectionery, products containing cocoa and pure sugar, and eliminated import duties on select healthy food items. The aim of this study was to conduct an mixed methods evaluation of perceptions of the tax among the general population and key stakeholders. Methods We conducted a survey of the general population (N = 400), and semi-structured interviews with key informants (N = 14) from the government, food and beverage, and health sectors to understand awareness, acceptability, and perceived impact of the tax after implementation. Survey data was analysed using thematic analysis, summary statistics, and Chi-squared tests. Key informant interviews were analysed using the framework method. Results General population respondents had high awareness of the sugar tax (94%) but low awareness of the healthy food subsidy (32%). Most respondents (67%) felt the tax was not an appropriate way to motivate healthier consumption due to beliefs the tax would not be effective (44%), and because of the high price of healthy food (20%). However, nearly half (48%) reported consuming fewer taxed products, primarily for health reasons but also motivated by price increases. Key informants indicated there was high awareness but limited understanding of the tax policy. Informants expressed support for taxation as a health promotion strategy, conditional on policy implementation. The lack of clear price differentiation between taxed and un-taxed products and the absence of accompanying health education were key factors believed to affect the impact of the tax. No informants were aware of use of tax revenues for health purposes and tax revenue was reportedly re-directed to other priorities after implementation. Conclusions There was high awareness, but limited acceptability of the Bermuda sugar tax as implemented. Clarity in the tax policy, appropriateness of the tax mechanism, and use of revenue in alignment with the tax aim are critical components for acceptance. The absence of complementary education and health promotion affected acceptance and may limit potential health impacts. The lessons learned in Bermuda can inform similar policies in other settings. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12889-022-13945-9.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kelsey K Case
- School of Public Health, Imperial College London, Norfolk Place, London, W2 1PG, UK.
| | - Elisa Pineda
- School of Public Health, Imperial College London, Norfolk Place, London, W2 1PG, UK.,Centre for Health Economics & Policy Innovation, Imperial College Business School, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Jack Olney
- Centre for Health Economics & Policy Innovation, Imperial College Business School, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Alexa Blair Segal
- Centre for Health Economics & Policy Innovation, Imperial College Business School, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Franco Sassi
- Centre for Health Economics & Policy Innovation, Imperial College Business School, Imperial College London, London, UK
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Crosbie E, Florence D, Nanthaseang M, Godoy L. Examining the policy process of sugar-sweetened beverage taxation in Ireland. Health Policy 2022; 126:738-743. [PMID: 35718666 DOI: 10.1016/j.healthpol.2022.06.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2021] [Revised: 04/07/2022] [Accepted: 06/03/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Sugar sweetened beverages (SSBs) are a growing source of weight gain, obesity, and type 2 diabetes that contain high added sugar amounts and provide minimal nutritional benefit. Taxing SSBs are effective in reducing sugar consumption and increasing awareness about health effects. The 2014 European Union Action Plan on Childhood Obesity combined with neighboring SSB tax proposals in the U.K. and France helped stimulate political discussions in Ireland. Following this momentum, in 2015, public health groups lead by the Irish Heart Foundation proposed an SSB tax with earmarked funds for public health and worked with the Irish Health Department through a whole-of-government approach to convince the Finance Department to introduce an SSB tax. These efforts resulted in the Finance Department proposing the Sugar Sweetened Drinks Tax (SSDT) in September 2016, which taxes non-alcoholic, water-based and juice-based drinks, which have an added sugar content of 5g per 100mL and above. Opposing stakeholders including the Irish Beverage Council and Food & Drink Industry Ireland argued that the tax would not decrease consumption of SSBs or impact obesity, disproportionately impact individuals with a low socioeconomic background, and create illicit trade. However, health groups argued the tax would reduce sugar consumption, encourage consumers to purchase healthier options, and help reduce obesity levels. These efforts with political will helped Ireland become the 36th country in the world (9th in Europe) to implement an SSB tax policy in May 2018. While the government reportedly raised €16.5 million (20.012 million USD) in 2018 and €33 million (40.024 million USD) in 2019 from the SSDT, the tax was not earmarked for public health purposes nor has it been evaluated despite multiple requests by public health groups representing an important missed opportunity. While other countries should follow Ireland's lead in enacting an SSB tax, it is important to evaluate the tax's impact on reducing sugar consumption and ensure the tax has earmarked funds for public health to further maximize the impact of reducing sugar consumption, promoting health equity and helping curb the NCD epidemic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eric Crosbie
- School of Public Health, University of Nevada Reno, Reno, NV, USA; Ozmen Institute for Global Studies, University of Nevada Reno, Reno, NV, USA.
| | - Davis Florence
- School of Public Health, University of Nevada Reno, Reno, NV, USA
| | | | - Lindsey Godoy
- School of Public Health, University of Nevada Reno, Reno, NV, USA
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Physical Activity Promotion as a Means to Foster Human and Planetary Health: The Need to Avoid Potential Conflicts of Interests With Unhealthy Commodity Industries. J Phys Act Health 2022; 19:401-403. [PMID: 35613845 DOI: 10.1123/jpah.2022-0258] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2022] [Accepted: 05/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
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Zhou M, Ramírez AS, Chittamuru D. Toward a Recipe for Deep versus Surface Level Tailoring: Mixed-Methods Validation of Message Features to Reduce Sugary Beverage Consumption. JOURNAL OF HEALTH COMMUNICATION 2022; 27:211-221. [PMID: 35730401 PMCID: PMC9391283 DOI: 10.1080/10810730.2022.2089301] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Targeted marketing contributes to the overconsumption of sugary beverages, which contributes to obesity and diabetes disparities among African American and Latino populations in the U.S. Health communicators can similarly use culturally tailored messages to decrease sugary beverage consumption among these groups, yet the specific strategies to operationalize cultural tailoring-the message components essential for such tailoring-are ill-described. We sought to identify and validate authentically created, culturally tailored messages using a multiple step mixed-methods approach. First, we used a snowball approach to identify nutrition education messages targeting ethnic minorities about reducing sugary beverage consumption (N = 85). Via content analysis, we assessed message features (character gender and race/ethnicity), level of change of the appeal (individual or social), and level of cultural tailoring (surface level tailoring in the form of matching character gender and race/ethnicity with target audience versus deep structural tailoring in the form of appealing to values is an effective message strategy). The highest-rated videos were then validated by a sample of the target audience using a quantitative survey and qualitative comments (N = 76). The results inform theorizing on message tailoring and provide a validated pool of culturally relevant messages intended both to reduce intentions to consume sugary beverages and to engage in social change actions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mi Zhou
- Department of Public Health, University of California
Merced, Merced, USA
| | - A. Susana Ramírez
- Department of Public Health, University of California
Merced, Merced, USA
| | - Deepti Chittamuru
- Department of Public Health, University of California
Merced, Merced, USA
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