This study aimed to identify and analyse the content of previously produced and aired adult-targeted public health advertisements (ads)
addressing weight, nutrition or physical activity
internationally. Ads were identified via keyword
searches of Google, YouTube and websites of
relevant government agencies and health organizations, and were eligible for inclusion if they
were: in English; produced between 2007 and
2012; targeted at adults;60 s; not promoting a
particular commercial brand of food, fitness or
weight loss product. Of the 99 ads coded, 59%
featured supportive/encouraging messages, 36%
presented information about health consequences and 17% focussed on social norms/
acceptability issues. Supportive/encouraging
messages were more frequently used in physical
activity ads, while there were a higher proportion
of messages about health consequences in
weight ads. Execution style differed across lifestyle topics, with simulation/animation more
common in nutrition ads and graphic images
and negative personal testimonials in weight
ads. Ads addressing weight were more likely to
evoke high negative emotion and include potentially stigmatizing content. Understanding how
weight and lifestyle issues have been addressed
in recent public health advertising will help guide
future efforts to test the effectiveness of different
message types in facilitating positive behaviour