Hispanic Youth Visits to Food and Beverage Company Websites

Abstract

Purpose: To measure disparities in exposure to food/beverage websites by Hispanic youth. Methods: Observational study using market research panel data compared frequency and time spent visiting food/beverage websites and the Internet overall for Hispanic and non-Hispanic children (6?11 years) and youth (6?17 years). Results: Hispanic children and youth, particularly Spanish-speaking youth, were less likely to visit the Internet overall, but more likely to visit food/beverages websites, compared with their non-Hispanic peers. Conclusions: Food and beverage company websites disproportionately appeal to Hispanic youth. Public health advocates and companies should take action to reduce Hispanic youth exposure to unhealthy food marketing online.

Keywords

• Hispanic
• Internet
• marketing
• obesity