La Responsabilidad Ética de la Publicidad Dirigida a Niños, Niñas y Adolescentes Frente al Consumo de Alimentos Ultraprocesados por Parte de la Industria Alimentaria en Colombia

Abstract

Ethical responsibility in advertising aimed at children and adolescents is a fundamental factor when evaluating the impact of ultra-processed foods on public health. This group of people is particularly vulnerable because, due to their age and development, they do not yet possess the necessary skills to distinguish between commercial and informational content. This makes them easily influenced by advertising strategies designed to capture their attention and encourage the consumption of unhealthy products. The purpose of this study is to generate frameworks for reflection around the ethical responsibility of advertising aimed at children and adolescents in relation to the consumption of ultra-processed foods by the food industry in Colombia. Part of the contributions of this study, from an ethical perspective, conclude that food companies have a responsibility not to exploit the vulnerability of children and adolescents to promote ultra-processed products, which are designed to be high in sugar, fat, and salt, but low in nutritional value. This lack of nutritional quality contributes to health problems such as childhood obesity and metabolic and cardiovascular diseases, raising a serious ethical challenge regarding the impact of advertising on the well-being of young people.