Supermarket and media audit of health messages relating to seafood

A supermarket audit was conducted to observe any health messages available to consumers that were being displayed near seafood products. Other messages displayed near seafood and other foods were also recorded.Forty three retailers were visited during January of 2009. In addition, a brief media scan covering the six months leading up to the audit was also conducted to identify other seafood related health messages that consumers were exposed to.Key findings from the audit included: -Of the 43 retailers visited, 13 (30%) displayed some kind of healthmessage. -Twenty health messages were identified. -Half of the messages (n=10) described specific benefits of seafood or fish consumption. -Most retailers (91%) displayed some kind of non-health related message near seafood products. -Meat products were linked to barbeques and Australia Day more often than seafood; however seafood was linked to health more often than meat or poultry products. -Fish oil products promoted the specific benefits of Omega 3 intake. -Media articles contain information on the health benefits of seafood, but this information was sometimes conflicting or confusing

Audience reactions to motor vehicle advertisements: a test of compliance with self-regulatory codes

Massive automobile advertising budgets suggest that consumers worldwide are exposed to a large number of motor vehicle advertising messages. This is of concern considering some motor vehicle advertisements may encourage unsafe driving practices. In fact, motor vehicle advertising contributes a significant proportion of all complaints received by the Advertising Standards Bureau (ASB). Further, it appears that many advertisements that may be non compliant appear to fall through the regulatory gaps. This paper presents a test of the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries (FCAI) Voluntary Code of Practice for Motor Vehicle Advertising. It entailed assessing audience perceptions of the messages communicated in three advertisements which were the subject of complaint to the ASB, two of which (Ford, Jeep) were dismissed and the third (Mazda) upheld. Audience perceptions of the ads showed that the ASB were correct in upholding the Mazda complaint that the ad promoted speed and performance aspects of the vehicle. However, our results showed that the Ford and Jeep ads also communicated these messages to the same extent or greater. Our results also showed that the sort of driver behaviour portrayed in these ads is perceived by a majority of viewers as aggressive and risk-taking across all three ads. These results bring into question the approach the Australian Standards Bureau uses to determine whether an advertisement breaches the FCAI Voluntary Code of Practice for Motor Vehicle Advertising

Seafood provides significant health benefits for men

Evidence supports the regular consumption of Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids found (Omega 3s) with positive effects to men?s health. The best source of these essential fatty acids are seafood, particularly oily fish. This article summarises evidence pertaining to the benefits associated with regular dietary intake of fish on men?s health.Methods: An extensive review of international academic libraries, databases and published literature was conducted. Quality assessment ratings were applied and thematic classifications based on major health issues relevant to men constructed.Results: A total of 168 articles from peer reviewed journals were identified with 60 studies providing moderate to high level evidence of an association between the consumption of Omega 3s and health benefit for men. The majority of the studies showed a positive link between the intake of Omega 3s and the prevention and management of chronic disease in men. Evidence also shows a reduced risk of prostate cancer and lower lung cancer mortality in men who consume a high seafood diets. Conclusion: There is conclusive evidence of an association between the dietary intake of Omega 3s and health benefits for men. However, men are less likely to consume fish when compared to red or white meats. Health promotion interventions should consider: the attitudes of men toward food and the impact of these attitudes on food choices; the association between seafood and other protein sources within the male psyche; and the role that particular foods play for males in social situations

Factors influencing the consumption of seafood among young children in Perth: a qualitative study

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>This formative study sought to explore the factors that influence the consumption of fish and seafood among 4–6 year old children in the Perth metropolitan area. Focus groups were conducted with mothers of young children to gain insights into the enablers and barriers to regular seafood consumption in children, and the knowledge, attitudes and perceptions of their mothers to including seafood as a regular part of their children's diet.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Purposive sampling techniques were used to select and recruit mothers of children aged between four and six years from within the Perth metropolitan area. A total of seven focus groups were conducted. Thematic content analysis was employed to code data generated and to extract major themes.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Findings indicated that all children of study participants had tried fish and seafood products, with some being exposed to a wide variety from an early age. Across focus groups, several dominant factors were apparent in influencing the frequency and type of seafood purchased and consumed. Perceived cost, freshness, availability/accessibility, and the level of confidence to prepare a meal to suit all family members were significant determinants of whether seafood featured regularly on the household menu. The influence of others in the family (particularly the husband or partner) also tended to impact upon the likelihood of serving fish and seafood, and the types of products mothers were willing to serve.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Findings from this qualitative study indicate that interventions seeking to promote seafood (particularly fish) as an integral part of a healthy diet should address existing negative attitudes and beliefs around the storage and preparation of seafood. The influence of dominant male influences within the family unit should also be considered. Strategies directed at parents and children should include experimental 'hands-on' components to encourage experimentation, particularly focussing on ease of preparation and the variety of lower cost seafood available.</p

The relationship between high school students' liking of elements in alcohol advertising and advertising effectiveness

The increasing level of alcohol consumption among youth and related harms is an issue of international public health concern (Hingson, Heeren, Winter, & Wechsler, 2005; Jernigan & Mosher, 2005; Jernigan, Ostroff, & Ross, 2005; Mosher, 2006; Room, Babor, & Rehm, 2005; World Health Organization, 2004a). Many factors influence youth alcohol consumption, including social, individual, structural and marketing factors (Donovan, 1997). Research shows that alcohol advertising reinforces positive attitudes toward youth drinking and plays a significant role in their decision to drink, as well as level of consumption (Anson, 2010; Babor et al., 2003; Hurtz, Henriksen, Wang, Feighery, & Fortmann, 2007; Jernigan et al., 2005).A number of countries follow a regulatory code of advertising in relation to alcohol. Self-regulatory codes are used to prohibit marketing that targets underage youth (Distilled Spirits Industry Council of Australia Inc., 2010). However, the effectiveness of these codes and self-regulation in general has been questioned in the literature (Jones & Donovan, 2002; Jones & Jernigan, 2010; US Department of Health and Human Services, 2007; World Health Organization, 2009a, 2009b). In Australia, the Alcohol Beverages Advertising (and Packaging) Code (ABAC) is the specific code that regulates the content of alcohol advertising (The ABAC Scheme, 2011). While a few studies have assessed alcohol advertising content against these codes (Donovan, Donovan, Howat, & Weller, 2007; Jones & Donovan, 2002), to date, no studies have attempted to relate identified breaches of codes contained in alcohol advertisements and the subsequent impact on advertising effectiveness.The aim of this study was to explore the relationship between high school students' liking of elements in alcohol advertising and advertising effectiveness. A total set of 25 alcohol advertisements was selected from advertisements frequently aired during the period November 2005 to October 2006 (15 beer advertisements; 9 spirits advertisements; 1 sparkling wine advertisement).Content analysis of the 25 advertisements revealed that all contained at least one element with known appeal to children and underage youth, indicating that youth in Australia are being exposed to alcohol advertisements that would be in breach of the Alcohol Beverages Advertising Code (ABAC). These advertisements were exposed to a sample of 544 young people attending Years 8 to 10 in public secondary schools in the Perth metropolitan area. Each student was exposed to five of the alcohol television advertisements. Respondents’ individual reactions to each alcohol advertisement were obtained using a confidential, self-completion questionnaire. This instrument was also used to record respondents’ alcohol beverage preferences.The attractiveness of specific execution elements in the advertisements significantly predicted advertising likeability, which in turn predicted advertising effectiveness. Advertisements for the most preferred brands were characterised by: music; animal/animation; visual appeal; special effects; and humour.These findings support other studies in suggesting that the current Australian system of advertising self regulation is inadequate in protecting underage youth from exposure to alcohol advertising. Recommendations from the results of this study are that the current voluntary system should incorporate further restrictions in content and programming zones and that consideration be given to a mandatory system with substantial penalty powers

Do motor vehicle advertisements that promote vehicle performance attributes also promote undesirable driving behaviour?

In response to concerns that motor vehicle advertising may have a negative influence on audiences’ driving attitudes, many countries have adopted Codes of Ethics with respect to motor vehicle advertising. Most Codes restrict explicit depictions relating to power, speed and acceleration but do not necessarily identify when advertisements implicitly communicate these and other undesired messages about unsafe driving behaviours. We selected three motor vehicle advertisements containing depictions of vehicular behaviour such as fast driving and rapid acceleration that had been the subject of complaints to the Australian Advertising Standards Board. We exposed these advertisements to n¼463 14–55 year olds. All three advertisements were found to promote positive expectancies about undesirable driving behaviours. These data confirm the rationale for motor vehicle advertising Codes but identify faults in applying the Codes; namely that the Advertising Standards Board upheld complaints about only one of the advertisements whereas viewer perceptions indicate that all three breached the Australian Code. There is a need to include mechanisms other than simple observation to assess whether undesirable messages are being communicated in motor vehicle advertisements