Title: The Ethical Dilemma of Marketing Sports and Energy Drinks as Healthy Despite Containing Unhealthy Ingredients
Advisor(s)
Brit Rowe
Confirmation
1
Document Type
Paper
Location
McIntosh Ballroom
Start Date
16-4-2024 2:15 PM
End Date
16-4-2024 6:00 PM
Abstract
This study aims to understand the influence of package design on the public perception of so-called “healthy” sports and energy drinks despite their inclusion of harmful ingredients. With health-conscious consumerism on the rise, the accuracy and transparency of packaging design and labeling should be prioritized. Therefore, this study aims to best answer the following question; Is it ethically justifiable for companies to communicate products as “healthy”; through packaging design when their actual health impact is comparable to less healthy alternatives?
This study will utilize the concept of triangulation through the following methodologies: demographics and questionnaires, contextual inquiries, and a communications audit. Quantitative data will be gathered through demographics and questionnaires to gauge consumer trust and purchasing behaviors influenced by “healthy”; packaging. The contextual inquiry will examine consumer perceptions and attitudes towards product labeling and health claims. A communications audit will be used to better understand what a company is saying about its health benefits, to its consumers, and how they are making health claims through their packaging design.
After the data has been collected, a comprehensive review will be completed. The outcome of this study will help designers understand the ethical role their work plays on the public’s perception of so-called “healthy” energy drinks and other similar products.
Recommended Citation
Lambdin, Hailey, "Title: The Ethical Dilemma of Marketing Sports and Energy Drinks as Healthy Despite Containing Unhealthy Ingredients" (2024). ONU Student Research Colloquium. 10.
https://digitalcommons.onu.edu/student_research_colloquium/2024/papers/10
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Restricted to ONU Community
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Title: The Ethical Dilemma of Marketing Sports and Energy Drinks as Healthy Despite Containing Unhealthy Ingredients
McIntosh Ballroom
This study aims to understand the influence of package design on the public perception of so-called “healthy” sports and energy drinks despite their inclusion of harmful ingredients. With health-conscious consumerism on the rise, the accuracy and transparency of packaging design and labeling should be prioritized. Therefore, this study aims to best answer the following question; Is it ethically justifiable for companies to communicate products as “healthy”; through packaging design when their actual health impact is comparable to less healthy alternatives?
This study will utilize the concept of triangulation through the following methodologies: demographics and questionnaires, contextual inquiries, and a communications audit. Quantitative data will be gathered through demographics and questionnaires to gauge consumer trust and purchasing behaviors influenced by “healthy”; packaging. The contextual inquiry will examine consumer perceptions and attitudes towards product labeling and health claims. A communications audit will be used to better understand what a company is saying about its health benefits, to its consumers, and how they are making health claims through their packaging design.
After the data has been collected, a comprehensive review will be completed. The outcome of this study will help designers understand the ethical role their work plays on the public’s perception of so-called “healthy” energy drinks and other similar products.