A new study shows youth are widely exposed to alcohol, tobacco and unhealthy food products and advertising at the retail level across San Diego County.
More than 67 percent of surveyed stores in San Diego County have exterior advertising for unhealthy products, according to the study released this week.
The local findings are part of a statewide study conducted for the Healthy Stores for a Healthy Community campaign, a collaboration among advocates for nutrition, tobacco use prevention and alcohol prevention.
“Research shows that young people are highly influenced by the marketing of products like tobacco, alcohol and sugary drinks,” said Dr. Dean Sidelinger, San Diego County Health and Human Services Agency (HHSA) child health medical officer.
“The choices kids make today could lead them down a path toward a healthy lifestyle or a life of obesity, addiction and chronic diseases and the advertising they are exposed to can play a large part in their decisions.”
A team of 34 adults and 30 youth conducted the study in San Diego County on behalf of HHSA and eight community partners. They went out in pairs to 278 licensed retail establishments in the County to conduct the survey.
Highlights of the study include:
“The survey results provide great information as we continue to work with communities and their residents to implement the County’s Live Well San Diego initiative and work to improve the health of our neighbors and our communities,” said Sidelinger.
For state, regional and county-specific data and more information on Healthy Stores for a Healthy Community, visit HealthyStoresHealthyCommunity.com.
