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Social marketing campaigns aimed at preventing and controlling obesity: A review and recommendations

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Abstract

We examined the role of social marketing programs in preventing and controlling obesity, by identifying and gathering anti-obesity communication materials and program materials from a variety of English-language websites around the world. A qualitative analysis of these materials revealed many anti-obesity programs and campaigns running in the USA and Canada, and a few in Australia and the UK. Our review provides a description of the key themes and messages being used in anti-obesity campaigns, including food guides and physical activity guidelines, and discusses how the campaigns agree with theProtection Motivation Theory. In addition, the review compares sources of funding, campaign components, and target population. Recommendations for practitioners are provided.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Faculty of Business Administration, University of Regina, S4S 0A2, Regina, Saskatchewan, (Canada)

    Magdalena Cismaru & Anne M. Lavack

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  1. Magdalena Cismaru
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  2. Anne M. Lavack
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This research is supported with funds from University of Regina and Saskatchewan Health Research Foundation.

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Cismaru, M., Lavack, A.M. Social marketing campaigns aimed at preventing and controlling obesity: A review and recommendations. Int Rev on Public Marketing 4, 9–30 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03180752

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