Digital advertising is drastically shaping the food preferences and health outcomes of Canadian children, with new data attributing their exposure to more than 4,000 ads promoting unhealthy food options every year. A report published on February 13, 2025, reveals this concerning trend, calling for urgent governmental intervention.
Conducted by INFORMAS Canada, the study elucidates the overwhelming presence of unhealthy food advertising across various platforms. According to the report, children encounter these ads, predominantly unhealthy, during daily activities, on mobile devices, television, and even around schools. Lana Vanderlee, Canada Research Chair specializing in healthy food policy at Université Laval, voiced significant concerns: "The magnitude of the problems caused by these unhealthy food environments is pretty significant."
Vanderlee’s comments reflect the troubling reality where young Canadians aged 9 and older are hit with around 37 food and beverage ads daily, with the figure rising to 44 for teenagers. "It’s very hard for a parent to compete with 37 messages for unhealthy food and beverages per day," added Monique Potvin Kent, professor at the University of Ottawa’s school of epidemiology and public health. Despite Quebec's prohibition on advertising directed at children under 13, this region has not escaped the onslaught of food marketing, proving the global food industry’s rampant influence.
Even as authorities strive for regulations, the report highlights the ineffectiveness of existing policies. It brought to light the fact 82% of Canadian schools and 99% of hospitals compromise health standards by selling sugary drinks regularly. Vanderlee expressed dismay: "82% of schools selling sugary drinks—how is this promoting health?" The authors urge for the implementation of marketing bans akin to those slated for the United Kingdom, which plans to enact regulations on junk food ads on television and digital media.
Understanding the indecipherable maze of food advertisement and nutrition claims adds another layer of challenge. Current labelling changes announced by Health Canada necessitate front-of-package warnings for high-salt, high-sugar, and high-saturated fat foods, yet many of these products already flaunt various health claims, potentially pointing consumers toward confusion. Vanderlee spoke to the impending mix-up: "It’s just mixed messaging... it’s hard to figure out what’s healthy and what’s not healthy."
The report also presents chilling statistics about food affordability and accessibility across the country. Families living in Manitoba can manage the average weekly cost of nutritious food for $317, whereas those residing in Newfoundland face bills exceeding $418. This disparity prompts reflection on national equity, pushing for policy changes to make healthy food accessible for everyone.
The rising prices of food compound these issues significantly. The researchers noted food prices surged by 9.2% from 2015 to 2019, followed by another staggering increase of 14.8% from 2021 to 2022. These statistics illuminate the challenges many families encounter when attempting to provide healthy choices for their children.
Compounded with this economic struggle is the looming crisis of obesity among youth. Reports from public health data indicate over 10% of Canadian youth and 25% of adults wrestle with obesity, conditions linked directly to poor dietary habits shaped, often unwittingly, by rampant advertising. Vanderlee added, "Unhealthy diets are responsible for $15 billion annually in healthcare costs," indicating the urgent need for governmental focus on health policies aimed at enhancing food access and education.
This complex web of advertising, policy, and dietary habits necessitates proactive measures. The authors of the report insist on reforms to create environments conducive to healthier choices. Vanderlee encapsulated this sentiment: "When you create a relationship with youth, it lasts for life." The foundation of lifelong eating habits often stems from childhood, and if unhealthy, they could lead to severe long-term health issues like diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, and cancer. The confluence of unhealthy food marketing, economic barriers, and regulatory shortcomings must be addressed firmly if Canada's children are to be shielded from the adverse outcomes of the modern food environment.