Rudd Center Releases Cereal Rankings Based on Nutrition and Marketing Exposure
The least healthy breakfast cereals are those most frequently and aggressively marketed directly to children as young as age two, finds a new study from the Rudd Center. This unprecedented evaluation of cereal marketing shows pervasive targeting of children across all media platforms and in stores.
For the first time, researchers studied the nutrient composition and comprehensive marketing efforts of 115 cereal brands and 277 individual cereal varieties. Nineteen brands (comprised of 47 varieties) were identified as "child brands" because their cereals are marketed directly to children on television, the internet, or through licensed characters.
The full report and tools for consumers and researchers are available.
Learn About Soft Drink Taxes
Taxes on sugar-sweetened beverages (also known as soft drinks) can improve public health and generate considerable revenue for states, cities, and the nation. Here are some useful tools:
- New England Journal of Medicine paper: Leading public health experts, including the Rudd Center's Kelly D. Brownell, present a strong case for the tax.
- Web page: Legislative and legal issues, polling data, publications, research, and web links.
- Revenue calculator: Produces expected revenue by allowing the user to list the tax per ounce and the type of beverages to be taxed.
- Webinar: We held a webinar to discuss the rationale, relevant science, and economic and policy considerations of taxes, and impact of taxes on obesity prevention. The webinar PowerPoint presentation and the webinar recording are available.
- LA Times Op-Ed: Written by the Rudd Center's Kelly D. Brownell and David S. Ludwig of the Harvard Medical School.
Get Social with the Rudd Center
Visit the Rudd Center’s new Social Media Web page to stay connected to the latest in food and obesity research and policies through tools such as Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube.
TV Food Advertising Increases Snacking and Potential Weight Gain in Children and Adults
In a series of experimental studies, Rudd Center researchers found that food advertising on television increases automatic snacking on available foods in children and adults. The research appears in the July issue of the journal Health Psychology, published by the American Psychological Association. In the experiments with both children and adults, food advertising increased eating for all available foods, even foods that were not specifically presented in the advertisements.
“This research shows a direct and powerful link between television food advertising and calories consumed by adults and children,” said lead author Jennifer Harris, PhD, Rudd Center Director of Marketing Initiatives. “Food advertising triggers automatic eating, regardless of hunger, and is a significant contributor to the obesity epidemic. Reducing unhealthy food advertising to children is critical.”
National Menu Labeling Bill
The 111th Congress is in session, and many state legislatures are nearing the end of their session. The Rudd Center will provide an update on newly filed legislation on food policy and obesity as it becomes available throughout the year. Past updates are available.
A menu labeling bill was negotiated by Sen. Tom Harkin (D-IA) and the National Restaurant Association, and is slated to be included in a Health Care Reform bill. A comparison chart is available, which shows the differences between the original bills (MEAL and LEAN) and the new bill. For more information, contact Roberta Friedman, Director of Public Policy, by email or phone (203-432-4717).
