Monitoring Food Marketing Directed to Portuguese Children Broadcasted on Television

Round 1

Reviewer 1 Report

This is a well written paper, and the topic is of high significance. I believe the paper can make a good contribution to the literature on adolescent food marketing as well as efforts and regulations needed to tackle this problem.

Background:

Line 66: the terms natural and legal persons are not necessarily clear to the audience of this journal, so perhaps provide a very short explanation or examples of what they mean (1or 2 words if possible)

Methods:

Aim: not sure why the words variables were included… at this point I am wondering what are these variables and is that different from the definition given to exposure and power?

Line 96 how were these 4 TV channels different (why these channels and not others), more importantly how does their reach compare to other channels?

Line 104 – 105 ‘Opening and closing credits, 104 closed captioned acknowledgments, brief sponsorship announcements and content promotions that appear later in the same programme were not considered advertisements.’ Why not? Particularly why are sponsorship announcements not included? Are these ads or they just presented as texts Perhaps it would also be helpful to include somewhere in the paper the definition of advertisements followed by this paper, and what does fall under it.

Line 110 – ‘only assessed for food and beverage advertisements.’ what is meant by only? Isn’t the focus of the study on food and beverage advertisements. It is not immediately clear what else could have been excluded in this statement? Perhaps this can be solved, by emphasizing that exposure analysed for all advertisements, including food and non-food ads

Results:

The authors present primary and secondary primary and secondary persuasive techniques. However these terms were not clearly presented in the methods sections? So what is primary and what is secondary? And why this differentiation?

 Figure 1 : the legend stating No and Yes, should be more specific as to what these No and Yes means, so that the figure can be read as stand-alone.

Line 263. What is meant by Sports person? Are these then persons just associated with sports, but are not celebrities? OR do they also include sport celebrities?

Table 3 and 4 : what does the p value stand for? This should be clear in the description of each of the tables

Discussion:

The authors could have capitalized more on the findings of this paper to highlight policy recommendations. Although this is briefly touched upon in the discussion, however the significance of the paper findings also lies in their use to bring about change in regulations, so this could stand out more in the paper.

Author Response

Please see the attachment.

Author Response File: Author Response.docx

Reviewer 2 Report

1.The section concerning research motivation necessitates further development, with a particular emphasis on children's advertising and marketing. It is imperative to elucidate the rationale for addressing this marketing issue and its relevance to readers. A more comprehensive and persuasive explanation is warranted. Additionally, accentuating the pivotal role of nutritional intake for children and its direct correlation to the value proposition of this study is crucial.

2.Kindly incorporate a new subsection dedicated to the literature discussion. This section should encompass the theoretical framework of advertising marketing. Furthermore, it is essential to delve into a thorough examination and analysis of the motivational factors and influence associated with children's exposure to advertisements. Additionally, please elaborate on the significance that the literature analysis brings to the overall study. It is imperative to highlight the distinctions between this current research and previous contributions in the field.

3.Due to the absence of appropriate sampling methods, it is imperative to include a comprehensive description in the study. This step is essential to ensure the validity and reliability of the research findings, as a well-defined sampling technique is fundamental for drawing accurate inferences and generalizing results to the target population.

4.In this study, it is imperative to acknowledge certain limitations that may impact the interpretation of the findings. Firstly, the sample size was relatively small, potentially limiting the generalizability of the results to a broader population. Additionally, the research was conducted in a single geographic region, which could restrict the applicability of the conclusions to other areas with different socio-economic or cultural contexts.

To address these limitations and pave the way for future investigations, several recommendations are proposed. Firstly, conducting a larger-scale, multi-center study involving diverse populations would enhance the external validity of the findings. Secondly, extending the research to encompass various regions with varying nutritional patterns and food management practices would facilitate a more comprehensive understanding of the subject matter.

Moreover, the implications of this study for children's nutrition and food management should not be underestimated. By shedding light on the factors influencing children's dietary choices and the impact of advertising on their food preferences, this research offers valuable insights for advertisers and policymakers alike. It underscores the importance of crafting responsible advertising strategies that promote healthier food options and discourage the consumption of overly processed or unhealthy foods among children. Furthermore, it emphasizes the significance of parental guidance and education in shaping children's dietary behaviors, urging interventions that target both parents and children to cultivate healthier eating habits from an early age.

In conclusion, this study's limitations should be considered when interpreting the results. The recommendations put forth serve as a foundation for future investigations in this domain, with the potential to expand our knowledge and contribute to the development of effective strategies to improve children's nutrition and food management through responsible advertising practices and targeted interventions."

Remember, academic writing should always be clear, concise, and free of colloquial language. Additionally, supporting your statements with evidence and citing relevant sources will strengthen your arguments and enhance the credibility of your work.

English improvement needed

Author Response

Please see the attachment.

Author Response File: Author Response.docx

Round 2

Reviewer 2 Report

Thanks to the authors for their responses and adjustments to my suggestions. Although a new model diagram has been added, the inferences of literature analysis and theoretical framework have not been added.

Minor editing of English language required

Author Response

Please see the attachment.

Author Response File: Author Response.docx