Poster Presentation ESA-SRB-ANZOS 2025 in conjunction with ENSA

A snapshot of outdoor food advertising: types, products, and implications for restriction policies (128384)

Clare Whitton 1 2 , Michelle McIntosh 3 , Frith Klug 1 , Alexia Bivoltsis 1 , Gina SA Trapp 1 4 5 , Claire E Pulker 1 2
  1. Nutrition and Health Innovation Research Institute, Edith Cowan University, Joondalup, WA, Australia
  2. School of Population Health, Curtin University, Bentley, WA, Australia
  3. Cancer Council Western Australia, Subiaco, WA, Australia
  4. The Kids Research Institute, University of Western Australia, Crawley, WA, Australia
  5. School of Medicine, University of Western Australia, Crawley, WA, Australia

Most outdoor food advertisements feature discretionary foods, which contribute to excess energy intake. As local governments consider restricting such advertising, the feasibility of applying nutrient profiling models in policy requires evaluation. This study assessed the types of outdoor food advertisements in metropolitan Perth and the availability of nutrition information for the products promoted.

A secondary analysis was conducted using 178 images of outdoor advertising collected in two previous studies: a 500m audit around schools in 16 stratified local government areas (LGAs) in 2019, and full bus shelter audits in four LGAs in 2022. Ads were categorised as ‘packaged product’, ‘food service – chain’, ‘food service – independent’, ‘branding only’, or ‘generic food/beverage’. For ads featuring packaged or food service items, online searches were conducted to obtain product-specific nutrition information from manufacturer and supermarket websites.

Of 168 valid ads, 60 were for packaged products, mainly drinks (e.g. soft drinks, iced teas, energy drinks), confectionery, and snack foods. Chain food service ads (n=34) featured items such as burgers, fried chicken, chips, and sugary drinks. Independent food service ads (n=28) promoted meals like fish and chips, pizza, bacon-and-egg sandwiches, and smoothies, but often lacked specific product depictions. Generic ads (n=28) included both healthy and discretionary items such as fruit, vegetables, pizza, and coffee. Nutrition information was found for 70% of packaged product ads and 68% of chain food service ads, although trans-fat and fibre were rarely reported. Independent outlets provided no nutrition data and rarely depicted identifiable products.

Only 39% of ads featured products for which nutrient profiling could be applied. This limited availability of consistent nutrition data constrains the use of profiling models. A robust and reliable food category-based classification system is likely to offer a more practical and feasible approach for local governments aiming to restrict unhealthy food advertising.