Unhealthy Food Television Advertising and Body Weight in Mexican Children
Authors' conclusion
In this decision analytical model, removing unhealthy food and beverage advertisements from television was associated with a substantial reduction in body weight and obesity among children and adolescents in Mexico.
Study context
- Population
- Nonpregnant, nonlactating youths aged 10 to 17 years in Mexico with a plausible BMI; main scenario applied to all exposed to TV advertising (79.2%)representing 17,735,608
- Participants
- 2,834 participants
- Exposure
- Simulated complete removal of TV advertisements for unhealthy foods and beverages vs current exposure
- Outcome
- Changes in daily energy intake, body weight, BMI, obesity prevalence and obesity cases
- Follow-up
- 1 year
Methodological detailssimulation model based on nonlinear differential equations, national, representative survey waves 2022 and 2023, sensitivity analyses varying adherence (30%-100%) and dose response, Data analyzed from May to December 2025
- Simulation model based on nonlinear differential equations
- National, representative survey waves 2022 and 2023
- Sensitivity analyses varying adherence (30%-100%) and dose response
- Data analyzed from May to December 2025
Main finding
As reported in the abstract
Projected mean decrease in energy intake
47 kcal/d
95% UI 3–92 kcal/d
Mean weight reduction per child
1.2 kg
95% UI 0.1–2.2 kg
Obesity prevalence decrease
8.3%
95% UI 0.3%–18.1%
Obesity cases averted
271 000
Observational data: associations, not effects.
Further findings
Baseline TV viewing and advertising exposure
min/d
- Mean TV viewing time
- 99.8 (95% CI 92.5-107.2 min/d)
- Mean daily exposure to unhealthy food advertising
- 2.8 (95% CI 2.6-3.0 min/d)
Original publication
Unhealthy Food Television Advertising and Body Weight in Mexican Children. JAMA Netw Open. Published 1 September 2026. doi:10.
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