Introduction: Obesity affects nearly a quarter of adolescents, with higher prevalence among racial minorities, which may be partly explained by substantial exposure to food marketing and fast-food consumption. Given that food and beverage advertising remains unregulated in the U.S. and industry self-regulation does not cover children aged 12 and over, it is paramount to monitor teenagers’ TV exposure to advertisements for unhealthy products. This study provides the most recent overview of 12-17-year-olds’ exposure to such TV advertisements including for fast-food restaurants and products high in nutrients to limit (NTL: saturated fat, trans fat, sugar, and sodium).

Methods: Drawing on 2022 ratings data for food and beverages advertisement, advertisements seen per year overall and by race were computed. The nutritional content of products was also evaluated to obtain the percentage of advertisements high in NTL (based on federal agency nutrition standards for recommended NTL).

Preliminary results: Adolescents saw 969 food-related ads in 2022, of which 41% were for fast-food restaurants, and 35% were for food and beverage products high in NTL. Black adolescents saw 64% more ads (1,314) than their White counterparts, but the composition of ads did not differ significantly across racial groups. In secondary analyses, this study will draw on earlier data to examine trends in exposure over the last decade.

Discussion: Most food-related advertisements seen by adolescents were for unhealthy products and significant racial disparities in total advertisements seen were observed in 2022. This suggests the need to extend (voluntary) regulations to children aged 12 and over.