Investigating Dietary Preferences of Children and Adolescents Using Social Marketing Model: A Systematic Literature Review

Understanding the affecting factors on healthy dietary choices in children and adolescents is within the significant challenges in the public health domain. Regarding substantial effects of appropriate nutrition during childhood and adolescence on growth and development, these challenges include an exceptional importance. This study was carried out with a social marketing approach to investigate relationships between the social marketing theories and dietary consumption patterns in children and adolescents.

This systematic review was carried out based on the PRISMA guidelines. A comprehensive consistent search was carried out in three databases of PubMed, Scopus and Web of Science up to April 2023. Only English-language articles were reviewed. To prevent omission of relevant studies, manual searches were carried out for the reference lists of studies and associated reviews. A total of 247 articles were reviewed.

This study identified ten intervention articles of experimental and quasi-experimental nature, using a social marketing approach in the domain of food choice in children and adolescents. These studies were carried out in various regions and countries worldwide. The reviewed studies indicated that social marketing strategies included positive effects on eating behaviors, health, physical activities and children's preferences. Television advertisements have shown negative effects on dietary behaviors and health, whereas school-based nutrition education programs and social marketing initiatives included the potentials to improve children's dietary habits.

Based on the findings of the present study, use of social marketing techniques can increase physical activities and contribute to promoting healthier food choices and well-being. Additionally, cartoon characters in marketing include positive effects on children's dietary preferences. Therefore, use of this model is recommended for the enhancement of health-oriented activities.