Debbie Danowski – författare

This book explores the addictive techniques used in advertisements for ultra-processed foods, which promise consequence-free eating to consumers while at the same time encouraging over-consumption of unhealthy food. Debbie Danowski presents an analysis of promotional techniques in the context of food addiction characteristics and behaviors through an exploration of the themes used in this type of advertising. These thematic messages include using food to rebel, to play, to relax, to achieve happiness, to replace exercise, to achieve good health, to increase intelligence, to show love, to bond with others, and to create environmental change. Ultimately, Danowski argues that these competing and contradictory messages have had long-term negative ramifications for American habits of consumption, both literally and figuratively. Scholars of communication, advertising, media studies, and food studies will find this book particularly useful.For more information, check out this conversation between the author and Susan Branscome, host of Food Addiction: The Problem and The Solution.

Debbie Danowski examines the use of health halos as misleading marketing in the advertising and branding of ultra-processed foods, demonstrating the impacts of messaging on consumer behavior and the health belief model. This book traces the history of halos to investigate how elements of advertising such as influencer endorsement, visual symbolism, and key phrases like “all natural” are strategically employed to portray food as being healthier than it is. Analyzing a wide range of examples from fruit snacks and candy to diet foods and meat alternatives, Danowski divides different halo techniques into three main categories—the natural and real halo, the nutrition halo, and the identity halo. These lenses, she posits, can be applied to the health belief model to achieve a fuller understanding of the social, narrative, and psychological tactics long leveraged by corporations to perpetuate health myths and influence consumer choice.