ArticleBMC nutrition2025
Marketing of ultra-processed foods on popular radio channels in Kenya.
Article in BMC nutrition, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.
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Abstract
backgroundThere is a dearth of information on the extent of marketing of ultra-processed foods on traditional media such as radio in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Consumption of ultra-processed foods is associated with nutrition-related noncommunicable diseases such as overweight/obesity, type 2 diabetes, and cardiovascular diseases. This study aimed to examine the marketing of ultra-processed foods on the most widely accessed radio stations across three counties in Kenya.
methodsThis was a cross-sectional quantitative study conducted in three counties: Nairobi, Mombasa, and Baringo counties in the period between December 2021 to February 2022. We purposively selected 5 radio stations based on their popularity in different counties according to the Communications Authority of Kenya ratings. Using stratified sampling, we selected 8 recording days: 4 weekdays and 4 weekend days for three months. The recorded data were coded using a structured questionnaire. The key variables included the food and non-food and beverage products advertised on the radio stations, categorization of the food, non-food beverage products, time slots of the advertisements, promotional strategies, and premium offers.
resultsOf the 1499 advertisements on the radio, 15.7% (n = 235) were food and beverage products. The most advertised food categories were sugar-sweetened beverages (44.7%) and alcoholic drinks (23.4%). Ultra-processed foods (UPFs) accounted for 58.3% of the non-alcoholic food and beverage product advertisements on the radio. There was a significantly higher level of UPFs during the weekdays (58.3%) compared to weekend days (39.0%) (p < 0.001), school holiday seasons (73.4%) compared to non-school holiday seasons (46.5%) (p < 0.001), and in urban areas (70.1%) compared to rural areas (34.5%) (p < 0.001).
conclusionsWe observed a high level of UPF marketing across both rural and urban settings, with higher proportions recorded in urban areas and during school holiday periods. To support healthier food environments, there is a need for regulatory action targeting radio advertising of unhealthy foods. This may include restrictions during peak child listening hours, regulation of persuasive content, and clear identification of sponsored food promotions.
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