OBJECTIVE: To debate knowledge on labeling, packaging, releases and promotion of processed foods that have been included progressively in the diets of children and adolescents. DATA SOURCE: On-line articles from Medline and SciELO database published over the last ten years in Portuguese and English using the keywords "child", "marketing", "eating habits", "television", "health education". Also, books, recent texts and articles considered relevant for the present review were included. DATA SYNTHESIS: The present article discusses the food marketing according to propaganda, packaging and labeling. This review also approaches the influence of TV advertising on building of children and adolescents' eating habits; the nutrition quality of advertised foods and alternatives that parents and teachers could use to deal with these new patterns of consumption. Additionally, it is discussed packaging as a communication tool between manufacturer and consumer. Regarding labeling, the "Agência Nacional de Vigilância Sanitária" (Anvisa) new rules on Regulatory Nutritional Labeling as well as the importance of proper label reading for healthy choices are discussed. CONCLUSIONS: The present article is intended to be a tool for updating health professionals and encouraging them to act more effectively in health education and nutrition. It is urgent to adopt prevention practices enlightening parents and relatives whose children actively participate in the consumption society in order to minimize the harmful effects of the obesogenic foods routine ingestion.
child; propaganda; food habits; television; health education