In a cross-sectional analysis of food advertisements during National Football League games, investigators found that advertised products contained median sodium levels of 910 mg per serving, with some quick-service restaurant meals exceeding 2800 mg—more than the recommended daily intake for healthy adults.

In the study, published in JAMA Network Open, the investigators analyzed 102 food-related commercials from 18 vendors during 10 National Football League (NFL) games between September and November 2023. The advertisements represented 10.8% of all consumer-facing advertiser content during the broadcasts.

Quick-service restaurant meals showed the highest levels of sodium, carbohydrates, and calories compared with store-bought food options. Little Caesars products contained the highest sodium content at 2,820 mg per serving, while Panera Bread offerings had the highest protein content at 81 g per serving.

"Adults with prevalent conditions, such as [heart failure], coronary artery disease, hypertension, diabetes, and kidney failure may also be vulnerable to deviations from suggested or prescribed dietary restrictions based on the frequency of exposure to advertising," the study authors wrote.

The study found substantial nutritional content variations across advertised products:

• Calories: median = 490 (interquartile range [IQR] = 160–870)
• Fat: median = 14 g (IQR = 8–50)
• Sodium: median = 910 mg (IQR = 220–1,872)
• Sugar: median = 11 g (IQR = 5–15)
• Protein: median = 14 g (IQR = 2–44)
• Carbohydrates: median = 56 g (IQR = 19–80).

The investigators noted particular concern about these findings given that NFL games are  among the most watched sporting events in the United States and are televised 3 days per week during regular season.

"[T]he combination of extended viewing times and poor dietary choices may be maladaptive for both primary and secondary prevention of multiple chronic cardiovascular and other conditions," the study authors emphasized.

Study limitations included an inability to determine actual food intake by viewers and regional variation in broadcast advertisements. Additionally, the investigators acknowledged they could not ascertain whether all food advertisements had national reach.

The investigators concluded that clinicians should counsel patients with heart failure and other cardiac and kidney diseases about limiting intake of foods advertised during professional football games, particularly those who might benefit from dietary interventions.

The study was conducted by researchers from Saint Louis University, the University of Nevada, Reno School of Medicine, and the University of Tennessee Graduate School of Medicine. No conflicts of interest were reported.

The authors declared having no competing interests.