Ads on streaming apps are associated with teens’ higher intake of junk food

It seems that young people who utilize live-streaming gaming platforms are consuming more junk food after being “bombarded” with advertisements while they were online.

“Food and drink advertisements on video game live streaming platforms (VGLSPs) like Twitch are associated with more positive attitudes towards, and purchases and intake of, unhealthy foods that are high in fat, salt, and/or sugar,” according to research based on surveys that was presented at the European Congress on Obesity in Venice.

The researchers described the findings as “concerning” and said that “stronger regulations on digital marketing of unhealthy foods to young people on these platforms” are necessary. Kick, Facebook Gaming Live, and YouTube Gaming are among the sites that the researchers mentioned.

Leading the team was Rebecca Evans from the University of Liverpool. “There is currently no effective regulation and minimal efforts to control it,” the researchers said.

After polling 490 individuals with an average age of 17, Evans said, “Food and drink brands seeking to engage with teenagers can benefit from the popularity of VGLSPs among young people.”

“Food cues on Twitch appeared at an average rate of 2.6 every hour, and the average duration of each cue was 20 minutes,” the researchers discovered. Junk food was featured more than 70% of the time and energy drinks were featured 60% of the time.

Vending machines with obvious health messaging were found to record “significantly lower sales of unhealthy beverages” as compared to other machines, according to a study published in the American Medical Association.