Obesity

Why Johnny Can't Eat Just One

by Anne Landman — April 28, 2009 - 2:27pm

U.S. law requires nutritional labels on retail groceries, but not on restaurant meals, so when former U.S. Food and Drug Administration Commissioner David A.

Main Source: 
Washington Post, April 27, 2009

Nestle and Namco Thirst for Absolution and Market Share

by Diane Farsetta — June 25, 2008 - 11:11am

To promote its bottled water for children, Nestle has "signed on as a strategic partner" for the launch of "Active Life: Outdoor Challenge," a Namco video game for the Nintendo Wii that will be released in September. Nestle's "Aquapod" water comes in a rocket-shaped bottle, and is marketed to "families with kids aged 6 to 11." The increased scrutiny of the link between soft drinks and childhood obesity led to the creation of bottled water for kids.

Main Source: 
Advertising Age, June 22, 2008

Sweeting Corn Syrup's Public Image

by Diane Farsetta — June 23, 2008 - 12:46pm

The Corn Refiners Association launched an 18-month, $20 to $30 million public relations and advertising campaign "to convince consumers that HFCS [high-fructose corn syrup] isn't the evil it has been made out to be." The industry group is running ads in major newspapers -- under the banner "time for a little food for thought" -- that say HFCS has the "same natural sweeteners as table sugar and honey." The campaign, which was created by the

Main Source: 
Wall Street Journal (sub req'd), June 23, 2008

VNRs Down Under

by Sheldon Rampton — June 13, 2008 - 1:29pm

Companies, government bodies and not-for-profit organizations have been using video news releases (VNRs) in Australia since 1995, reports Sally Jackson.

Main Source: 
The Australian, June 5, 2008

Big Fat Lies

by Sheldon Rampton — May 23, 2008 - 10:18am

"Dishes targeted to health-conscious consumers at popular chains such as Chili's, Taco Bell and Applebee's contained as much as twice the calories and eight times the grams of fat than the restaurants claimed in their published nutrition information," reports Isaac Wolf, citing research done in eight cities by television stations affiliated with the Scripps media chain.

Main Source: 
Scripps Howard, May 22, 2008

New Kids' Book on Plastic Surgery Skirts Breasts

by Anne Landman — April 28, 2008 - 1:04pm

How does a mother explain to her children why she's having a breast augmentation, a tummy tuck or a nose job? Help is on the way -- a new book for kids about plastic surgery, My Beautiful Mommy. The story features a handsome, musclebound, superhero-type male doctor and a Mommy who says that as she got older, she couldn't fit into her clothes any more. Mom explains to her child that the doctor is going to help her fix all that. Mom comes home after surgery looking slightly bruised and bandaged, but with fuller, higher breasts.

Main Source: 
Newsweek, April 15, 2008

Having His Cake and Eating It Too

by Sheldon Rampton — February 25, 2008 - 4:50pm

The February 2008 newsletter of the Obesity Society supports a new rule from the New York City's health commisssioner requiring restaurants to publish information about the number of calories in their food, but apparently the society's president, Dr. David B. Allison, hasn't gotten the word.

Main Source: 
New York Times, February 16, 2008

Marketing, Marketing Everywhere

by Diane Farsetta — December 17, 2007 - 3:55pm

Major food companies are planning "to halt advertising junk food to children under 12 throughout Europe," but in the U.S., McDonald's has found "a nifty way to reach kids ...

Main Source: 
Advertising Age, December 5, 2007

McDonald's Advised to Fight or Fess Up

by Bob Burton — August 13, 2007 - 3:47am

McDonald's has been criticized by PR professionals for its response to the recent study by Stanford University School of Medicine and the Lucile Packard Children's Hospital which found that young children preferred foods associated with the company's packagi

Main Source: 
Advertising Age, August 13, 2007
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