A new Canadian study looked at how often young people see advertisements for unhealthy foods on digital platforms like social media and streaming services. The researchers wanted to understand if kids from different racial and ethnic backgrounds, and from families with different income levels, were seeing different amounts of these ads. They found that young people from minority racial and ethnic groups, and those from lower-income families, were exposed to significantly more advertisements for sugary drinks, fast food, and other unhealthy foods online. This matters because constant exposure to these ads can influence what kids want to eat and drink, potentially affecting their health.

The Quick Take

  • What they studied: Whether young people in Canada see different amounts of unhealthy food advertisements online depending on their race, ethnicity, and family income level
  • Who participated: Canadian youth from various racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic backgrounds who use digital platforms and watch online content
  • Key finding: Young people from racial and ethnic minority groups, and those from lower-income households, encounter significantly more advertisements for unhealthy foods on digital platforms compared to their peers
  • What it means for you: If you’re a parent or educator, be aware that some young people may be targeted with more junk food ads based on their background. This suggests we need better rules about food advertising online to protect all kids equally. However, this study shows what’s happening now—it doesn’t prove the ads directly cause health problems, though other research suggests they influence eating habits.

The Research Details

Researchers in Canada examined digital food marketing exposure by analyzing what advertisements young people encounter on various online platforms. They collected information about youth from different racial and ethnic backgrounds and from families with varying income levels. The study compared how many unhealthy food ads different groups of young people were exposed to, looking for patterns that might show some groups see more ads than others.

This type of research is called observational, meaning the scientists watched and measured what was already happening rather than running an experiment where they changed something. They looked at real-world data about advertising exposure across digital platforms where young people spend time, such as social media, video streaming services, and websites.

The researchers specifically focused on ‘unhealthy’ foods—those high in sugar, salt, or fat with little nutritional value—to see if marketing for these products was distributed equally across different groups of young people.

Understanding who sees more unhealthy food ads is important because it reveals whether marketing practices treat all young people fairly. If some groups see significantly more ads for junk food, it could be unfair and could contribute to health differences between groups. This type of research helps identify problems in how companies advertise to young people online.

This study examined real-world digital advertising patterns, which makes it relevant to how young people actually experience the internet today. The research was published in a peer-reviewed nutrition journal, meaning other experts reviewed it before publication. However, the study shows what’s happening now—it doesn’t prove that seeing more ads directly causes health problems, though other research suggests a connection. The findings are specific to Canada, so results might differ in other countries with different advertising rules.

What the Results Show

The study found clear differences in how much unhealthy food advertising young people from different backgrounds encounter online. Youth from racial and ethnic minority groups saw more advertisements for unhealthy foods compared to youth from majority groups. Similarly, young people from lower-income households were exposed to more of these ads than those from higher-income families.

These differences were consistent across multiple digital platforms where young people spend time. The pattern suggests that either companies are targeting these groups more directly, or the platforms these groups use most frequently have more unhealthy food advertising. Either way, the result is the same: some young people encounter significantly more marketing for sugary drinks, fast food, and other unhealthy options.

The research highlights an equity issue—not all young people are experiencing the digital advertising landscape equally. This matters because constant exposure to food advertising influences what people want to eat, and young people are especially influenced by ads they see repeatedly.

The study likely examined which specific types of unhealthy foods were being advertised most heavily to different groups, and which digital platforms carried the most of these ads. Understanding these patterns helps identify where the problem is most severe and where changes might have the biggest impact.

Earlier research showed that young people from minority racial and ethnic groups, and those from lower-income families, saw more unhealthy food ads on television. This new study extends that finding to digital platforms, suggesting the problem isn’t limited to traditional TV—it’s happening online too. This is important because young people now spend more time on digital platforms than watching traditional television, so understanding digital advertising exposure is increasingly relevant.

The study shows what’s happening now but doesn’t prove that seeing more ads directly causes young people to eat unhealthier foods, though other research suggests this connection exists. The findings are specific to Canada, so the situation might be different in other countries. The study doesn’t explain why these differences exist—whether it’s intentional targeting by companies, differences in which platforms different groups use, or other factors. Additionally, the exact sample size and some methodological details weren’t fully specified in the available information.

The Bottom Line

Parents and guardians should be aware that young people from certain backgrounds may encounter more unhealthy food advertising online and may need extra guidance about evaluating ads critically. Schools could teach media literacy to help all young people understand how advertising works and recognize when they’re being targeted. Policymakers should consider stronger regulations on digital food advertising, especially to protect young people from groups that currently see more ads. Confidence level: High that the exposure differences exist; moderate that interventions will reduce health disparities without additional research.

Parents of young people who use digital platforms should care about this research. Educators and school administrators can use this information to inform media literacy teaching. Policymakers and health advocates should care because this reveals potential unfairness in how companies advertise to different groups. Young people themselves might want to understand how advertising targets them. This research is less directly relevant to individuals focused solely on their own food choices, but it’s important for understanding broader health equity issues.

This research describes current conditions rather than predicting future changes. If regulations on digital food advertising were implemented, it might take months to years to see changes in how many ads young people encounter. Any health benefits from reduced advertising exposure would likely take even longer to appear, as eating habits change gradually.

Want to Apply This Research?

  • Track the number and types of food advertisements your teen encounters daily on their most-used digital platforms. Use a simple tally system or note-taking feature to record unhealthy food ads (fast food, sugary drinks, candy, chips) versus healthier options over a one-week period to establish a baseline.
  • Use the app to set reminders for media literacy check-ins where you discuss with your teen the food ads they’ve seen that day. Talk about who’s being targeted, what techniques the ads use, and whether the products are actually healthy. This builds critical thinking about advertising.
  • Monthly, review your teen’s ad exposure patterns to see if certain platforms or times of day show more unhealthy food advertising. Use this data to have conversations about limiting time on high-ad platforms or developing strategies to ignore or question ads they encounter.

This research describes patterns in food advertising exposure and does not establish direct cause-and-effect relationships between ad exposure and health outcomes. The findings are specific to Canada and may not apply to other countries. This information is for educational purposes and should not replace professional medical or nutritional advice. Parents concerned about their child’s diet or media consumption should consult with healthcare providers or registered dietitians. If you have concerns about unfair advertising practices, contact your local consumer protection agency or health authority.