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Life sciences · Journal article
Global Health Action · September 4, 2026
Early or partial results. Treat as a signal, not a conclusion.
This is a descriptive cross-sectional study documenting the prevalence and nature of nutrient-poor food advertising in children's environments in Senegal. The study shows high exposure to non-permitted foods via physical and broadcast advertising and reports children's brand recall and product requests, but does not measure health outcomes or compare interventions.
Cross-sectional mixed-methods study. Urban and peri-urban schools across four regions in Senegal (Dakar, Kaolack, Saint-Louis, Ziguinchor); children and parents participating in qualitative work.. Intervention: None; observational mapping and characterization of existing food advertising practices. Four regions in Senegal: Dakar, Kaolack, Saint-Louis, Ziguinchor.
79% (n=438) of food advertisements around schools were for non-permitted foods 75% (n=366) of food advertisements on television were for non-permitted foods Non-permitted food advertisements were more frequent during peak viewing times and used persuasive marketing techniques
Safety was not reported in the material analysed. Check the source before drawing any conclusion about harm.
This study documents a substantial exposure gap in Senegal but does not quantify the health burden or test the effectiveness of regulatory solutions. Clinicians and policy-makers should note the evidence of high non-permitted food advertising as a contextual driver of unhealthy diet exposure, but should await evidence from intervention trials before implementing specific marketing restrictions.
A descriptive cross-sectional mixed-methods study mapping advertising exposure and perceptions in a single country; lacks a comparator, control group, or quantified health outcome, and is the first to characterize this landscape in Senegal.
As stated by the source record.
Quoted from the source exactly as published.
This study documents a substantial exposure gap in Senegal but does not quantify the health burden or test the effectiveness of regulatory solutions. Clinicians and policy-makers should note the evidence of high non-permitted food advertising as a contextual driver of unhealthy diet exposure, but should await evidence from intervention trials before implementing specific marketing restrictions.
Graded across the dimensions that decide whether you should act, each from what the source actually supports. There is no single score, and where a dimension was not assessed it says so.
Background. Marketing of nutrient-poor foods is a recognized driver of unhealthy dietary behaviors and childhood obesity. In Senegal, the triple burden of malnutrition persists, while regulations restricting unhealthy food marketing to children remain limited.Objective. To assess the extent and nature of food advertising around schools and on television in Senegal and to explore children's and parents' perceptions of food marketing.Methods. A cross-sectional mixed-methods study was conducted across four regions in Senegal (Dakar, Kaolack, Saint-Louis, Ziguinchor). Food advertising was mapped within a 250-m radius of 40 selected urban/peri-urban schools, and inventoried on four national television channels. Advertised foods were evaluated using the WHO-NPM AFRO and Nutri-Score systems and classified as 'permitted' or 'non-permitted' foods. Focus group discussions with children and in-depth interviews with parents were conducted to explore food marketing perceptions. Quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistical analysis, and qualitative data were analyzed using thematic analysis.Results. Overall, 79% (n = 438) of food advertisements around schools and 75% (n = 366) on television were for 'non-permitted' foods. Non-permitted food advertisements were more frequent during peak viewing times and used persuasive marketing techniques. Children demonstrated brand recall and reported requesting advertised products following exposure. Parents expressed concerns about poor nutritional quality of foods advertised to children and supported stricter regulatory measures.Conclusions. Children were exposed to 'non-permitted' food advertising across physical and virtual environments in Senegal. The predominance of nutrient-poor food promotion underscores the urgent need for mandatory policies to restrict unhealthy food marketing to children.
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