Research Impact

Our research has had a significant impact in Canada and internationally. The studies we have conducted on children’s exposure to unhealthy food marketing in Canada as well as our findings demonstrating the gaps in current self-regulatory food marketing regulations helped inform Bill C-252 (An Act to amend the Food and Drugs Act - prohibition of food and beverage marketing directed at children) and Bill S-228 (An Act to Amend the Food and Drug Act - Prohibiting Food and Beverage Marketing Directed at Children) and its accompanying regulations.

Our research has also informed the policy position and advocacy efforts on food and beverage marketing to children of the Stop Marketing to Kids Coalition (https://stopmarketingtokids.ca/) and its more than 100 participating organizations including the Canadian Cancer Society, Canadian Dental Association, Chronic Disease Prevention Alliance of Canada, Diabetes Canada, Dietitians of Canada, Heart and Stroke Foundation, and Quebec Coalition on Weight-Related Problems among others.  

Our research on unhealthy food marketing to children has been featured repeatedly in the national media and we have conducted multiple interviews with television, radio, and print journalists on our research. Check out a recent interview with Dr. Potvin Kent on the television show L’épicerie (Radio Canada, 2023) on unhealthy food and beverage marketing to children by social media influencers: https://ici.radio-canada.ca/tele/l-epicerie/site/episodes/692715/influenceur-malbouffe-cajou-satiete?isAutoPlay=1