Farzand Anam, Rohin Mohd Adzim Khalili, Awan Sana Javaid, Hussain Ahram, Faizan Muhammad, Ahmad Abdul Momin Rizwan
Faculty of Health Sciences, School of Nutrition and Dietetics, Universiti Sultan Zainal Abidin (UNISZA), Terengganu, Malaysia.
Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology (IMBB), The University of Lahore, Lahore, Pakistan.
Front Nutr. 2025 Aug 29;12:1645166. doi: 10.3389/fnut.2025.1645166. eCollection 2025.
Obesity is a multifactorial global health crisis exacerbated by modern food marketing strategies that encourage the consumption of energy-dense, nutrient-poor (EDNP) foods. Children and socio-economically disadvantages groups are particularly vulnerable to the cognitive and emotional cues embedded in food advertising.
To investigate the ethical aspects of marketing to vulnerable groups, evaluate the shortcomings of the current regulatory frameworks, critically analyze the impact of food marketing on consumer behavior and dietary patterns, and offer policy-relevant insights for public health interventions. Methods: Multidisciplinary sources from the fields of public health, behavioral psychology, marketing science, and nutrition policy were synthesized through an extensive narrative review. Through methodical searches of databases such as PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar, peer-reviewed and gray literature were found. Among the theoretical models used are the REFCAM model, the Theory of Planned Behavior, and the Social Cognitive Theory.
Food marketing uses digital microtargeting, sensory cues, and psychological priming to influence consumption. Overconsumption has become commonplace due to strategies including portion control, manipulating brand loyalty, and health halo benefits. Despite global variation in regulatory responses, corporate lobbying, disjointed governance, and inadequate digital oversight often limit their effectiveness. Marketing aimed at minorities and children raises ethical concerns, as there is proof of exploitation through deceptive and culturally specific advertising. Comparative case studies highlight regulatory achievements (like Chile and France) as well as failures (like UK policy delays).
Food marketing is a major contributor to the development of obesogenic environments, despite being poorly controlled. A change from reactive to proactive, system-level governance is necessary to combat obesity. Strong digital control, more stringent nutrient profiling, and a moral shift in food marketing strategies are all part of this. Promoting healthy choices and safeguarding vulnerable people require cross-sectoral collaboration.
肥胖是一场多因素导致的全球健康危机，现代食品营销策略加剧了这一危机，这些策略鼓励人们消费能量密集、营养匮乏（EDNP）的食品。儿童以及社会经济地位不利群体尤其容易受到食品广告中所蕴含的认知和情感暗示的影响。
调查针对弱势群体进行营销的伦理问题，评估当前监管框架的缺陷，批判性分析食品营销对消费者行为和饮食模式的影响，并为公共卫生干预措施提供与政策相关的见解。方法：通过广泛的叙述性综述，综合了公共卫生、行为心理学、营销科学和营养政策等领域的多学科资料来源。通过对PubMed、Scopus、Web of Science和谷歌学术等数据库进行系统检索，找到了经过同行评审的文献和灰色文献。所使用的理论模型包括REFCAM模型、计划行为理论和社会认知理论。
食品营销利用数字微目标定位、感官线索和心理启动来影响消费。由于包括份量控制、操纵品牌忠诚度和健康光环效应等策略，过度消费已变得司空见惯。尽管全球监管反应存在差异，但企业游说、治理脱节和数字监管不足往往限制了其有效性。针对少数群体和儿童的营销引发了伦理问题，因为有证据表明存在通过欺骗性和具有文化特异性的广告进行剥削的情况。比较案例研究突出了监管成就（如智利和法国）以及失败案例（如英国政策延迟）。
尽管食品营销管控不力，但它是致胖环境发展的主要促成因素。为了对抗肥胖，有必要从被动反应型转向主动的系统层面治理。强大的数字控制、更严格的营养成分分析以及食品营销策略的道德转变都是其中的一部分。促进健康选择和保护弱势群体需要跨部门合作。
