This nationally representative survey measures both the nature and extent of corporate-sponsored food marketing activities in U.S. public schools.

What researchers found: Many unhealthy foods are marketed directly to children despite strong links between food marketing, children’s purchase requests, and children’s weight. American primary schools participated in fund raising (37.7 %), incentive programs (31.6%), and exclusive agreements (16.3%) with corporations that sell foods high in fat and sugar (FHFS) and those of “minimal nutritional value” (FMNV). Of those school officials responding, 87.5 percent reported that they would not be forced to reduce programs if marketing was prohibited; 53.7 percent supported increased regulation of FHFS and FMNV marketing.

Why we chose this publication: This study is the first to provide nationwide, generalizable data on the types of marketing activities conducted in a sample of American public schools and the potential implications of marketing regulations. School officials and policy-makers should be aware of the health benefits and limited financial risk in regulating and eliminating marketing of FHFS and FMNV in schools.

What researchers studied: This nationally representative study of 313 randomly selected primary school officials measures the nature and extent of marketing activities in American primary schools (2003–2004).