Food advertising on Argentinean television : are ultra-processed foods in the lead?

The study showed that Argentinean children are exposed to a high number of unhealthy processed and ultra-processed food (PUPF) ads on TV. It describes exposure of children to unhealthy food advertising. Of the sample of food ads, PUPF products were more frequently advertised during children’s programmes versus programmes targeted to the general audience. The top five food categories were desserts, dairy products, non-alcoholic sugary beverages, fast-food restaurants, and salty snacks. Ads were classified by target audience, type of product, advertised food categories and advertising strategies used

Analysis of a voluntary initiative to reduce sodium in processed and ultra-processed food products in Argentina : the views of public and private sector representatives

Includes abstract in Spanish and PortugueseThis study is part of a comprehensive quantitative and qualitative research strategy to monitor sodium reduction policies in Argentina. The qualitative study design aims to contribute to the body of research in the public health sector regarding voluntary initiatives and public-private partnerships (PPPs) towards prevention of non-communicable diseases, and to understand the policy process of PPPs from stakeholders’ perspectives. Objectives include: (1) to identify the role and resources of the different major stakeholders; (2) analyze the main challenges and controversies perceived by stakeholders; and (3) analyze stakeholders’ perspectives concerning mandatory vs. voluntary initiatives. The article discusses the initiative’s challenges and controversies.El programa Menos Sal, Más Vida fue la primera iniciativa voluntaria para la reducción de la sal en Argentina. Este artículo analiza las perspectivas de los representantes del sector público y privado involucrados en este acuerdo voluntario, entre el Ministerio de Salud y la industria alimentaria, para reducir gradualmente el contenido de sodio en las comidas procesadas. Este estudio de caso se basó en una aproximación cualitativa, incluyendo 29 entrevistas en profundidad, con las partes interesadas del sector público y privado e identificó el papel de los mismos y sus percepciones respecto a los desafíos enfrentados durante el proceso, con el fin de contribuir al debate de las colaboraciones público-privadas en políticas de salud. El artículo también discute los principales desafíos y controversias.O programa Menos Sal, Mais Vida foi a primeira iniciativa voluntária para reduzir o teor de sal em produtos alimentícios na Argentina. O artigo analisa as perspectivas dos atores envolvidos nesse acordo voluntário entre o Ministério da Saúde e a indústria alimentícia para reduzir gradualmente o teor de sódio nos alimentos processados. O estudo de caso exploratório utilizou uma abordagem qualitative com 29 entrevistas em profundidade com representantes dos setores público e privado, e identificou o papel dos diversos atores e suas percepções quanto aos desafios enfrentados no processo político, contribuindo para o debate sobre parcerias público-privadas em políticas de saúde. O artigo também discute os principais desafios e controvérsias dessa iniciativa

International collaborative project to compare and track the nutritional composition of fast foods

Background: Chronic diseases are the leading cause of premature death and disability in the world with over-nutrition a primary cause of diet-related ill health. Excess quantities of energy, saturated fat, sugar and salt derived from fast foods contribute importantly to this disease burden. Our objective is to collate and compare nutrient composition data for fast foods as a means of supporting improvements in product formulation. METHODS/DESIGN: Surveys of fast foods will be done in each participating country each year. Information on the nutrient composition for each product will be sought either through direct chemical analysis, from fast food companies, in-store materials or from company websites. Foods will be categorized into major groups for the primary analyses which will compare mean levels of saturated fat, sugar, sodium, energy and serving size at baseline and over time. Countries currently involved include Australia, New Zealand, France, UK, USA, India, Spain, China and Canada, with more anticipated to follow. DISCUSSION: This collaborative approach to the collation and sharing of data will enable low-cost tracking of fast food composition around the world. This project represents a significant step forward in the objective and transparent monitoring of industry and government commitments to improve the quality of fast foods.E Dunford is supported by a Sydney Medical School Foundation scholarship and B Neal by an Australian Research Council Future Fellowship.http://www.biomedcentral.com/1471-2458/12/559am201

Food advertising to children in Argentinean television : a quantitative and qualitative analysis; final technical report

Appendices 1-3; 5 not included; appendices 4 and 6 catalogued separatelyObjectives 1. To analyze and describe the current regulatory framework, the main stakeholders involved in the regulation of food advertising and to detect potential obstacles, challenges and enablers in the promotion of regulatory changes in Argentina. 2. To determine the amount and characteristics of food advertising to children in Argentinean television. 3. To determine the nutritional content and quality of the foods advertised to children in Argentinean television 4. To analyze the importance of food advertising to children on parent´s dietary behavior and beliefs in different socioeconomic levels..

Tobacco industry strategies to obstruct the FCTC in Argentina

Objective: To describe the strategies pursued by the tobacco industry (TI) to interfere with the ratification of the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) in Argentina. Methods: We conducted semi-structured interviews about the FCTC, the TI and the legislative process with 3 legislators, 4 public health officials, 1 representative of the tobacco growers and two tobacco control advocates. We reviewed 6 newspapers from the 4 tobacco growing provinces, searched TI documents in the Legacy Tobacco Documents Library and reviewed 1624 documents. Proposed legislation and related documents on tobacco control from Argentina’s National Congress and the Provincial Jujuy Congress were reviewed. Results: The principal strategy used by the TI was lobbying of provincial legislators and federal officials from the Ministry of the Economy by the tobacco growers associations. These legislators prevented the passage of comprehensive bills on tobacco control or of less comprehensive national laws. A typical legislative strategy used was to request additional analyses of the proposed bills from committees that prioritized economic issues over health. FCTC was mentioned in regional newspapers three to seven times per week in articles about alleged adverse economic effects of tobacco control. Direct physical threats to legislators who were openly supportive of FCTC ratification were made. Conclusion: Tobacco producers and TI opposed FCTC ratification in Argentina by lobbying elected representatives and placing stories in regional media to obstruct approval of tobacco control laws. These activities have led to a delay in consideration of Argentina’s ratification of the FCTC despite the President’s signature in 2003

Use of smoking cessation interventions by physicians in Argentina

Área de Salud, Economía y Socieda