Impact of Food Advertising on the Dietary Choices of Secondary School Adolescents in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, South South Nigeria

The proliferation of food advertising through television, social media, and billboard media in Nigerian cities has raised concerns about its influence on adolescent dietary behaviours and the associated risks of diet-related non-communicable diseases. This study examined the impact of food advertising on the dietary choices of secondary school adolescents in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, South South Nigeria. A descriptive survey design was employed, with 300 adolescents aged thirteen to seventeen selected from six secondary schools using stratified random sampling. Data were collected using structured questionnaires assessing media exposure, food advertisement recall, and dietary choice patterns. Data analysis involved descriptive statistics and multiple linear regression. Results showed that respondents were exposed to an average of eight food advertisements daily across television and social media platforms. Processed snacks, sugary beverages, and fast foods dominated recalled advertisements. A significant positive relationship was found between frequency of food advertisement exposure and consumption of ultra-processed foods. Respondents from higher-income families showed greater exposure to digital food advertisements. Nutrition literacy was inversely associated with susceptibility to food advertising influence. The study recommends the regulation of high-fat, high-sugar food advertisements targeted at children and adolescents, and the strengthening of media literacy education in schools. Keywords: food advertising, adolescent dietary choice, media influence, Port Harcourt, nutrition literacy