According to Gram Research analysis, three out of every four food advertisements on public transport in Western Melbourne promote unhealthy or ultra-processed foods, with sugar-sweetened beverages accounting for 49% of unhealthy ads and vending machines on train platforms responsible for 40% of all unhealthy food advertising. This constant exposure to junk food marketing in shared public spaces may increase consumption of unhealthy foods and contribute to obesity and chronic disease risk in communities.
A new study looked at all the food and drink advertisements on buses, trams, and trains in Western Melbourne, Australia. Researchers found that three out of every four food ads were promoting unhealthy or ultra-processed foods—things like sugary drinks and fast food meals. The study discovered that vending machines on train platforms were responsible for 40% of all unhealthy food advertising. This constant exposure to junk food ads on public transportation may be contributing to obesity and chronic disease in the community. The research suggests that what we see advertised in public spaces matters for our health choices.
Key Statistics
A 2026 cross-sectional study of 693 advertisements on public transport in Western Melbourne found that 76% of food and beverage ads promoted unhealthy or ultra-processed products, with sugar-sweetened beverages comprising 49% of unhealthy advertisements.
Vending machines on train platforms accounted for 40% of all unhealthy food advertisements in the Western Melbourne public transport system, according to the 2026 study examining food marketing on government-owned assets.
Research from 2026 analyzing 229 food advertisements on Western Melbourne public transport found that 73% promoted ultra-processed foods, with unhealthy meals representing 28% of unhealthy advertisements.
A 2026 study found no statistically significant relationship between unhealthy food advertising on public transport and socioeconomic disadvantage, indicating that unhealthy marketing exposure affects all communities equally in Western Melbourne.
The Quick Take
- What they studied: How much advertising for unhealthy foods and drinks appears on public transportation (buses, trams, and trains) in Western Melbourne, and whether poorer neighborhoods see more of these ads.
- Who participated: Researchers examined every single advertisement at all bus stops, tram stops, and train stations across three local government areas in Western Melbourne, Australia. They looked at 693 total advertisements, of which 229 were for food or beverages.
- Key finding: Three-quarters of all food and drink advertisements on public transport promoted unhealthy or ultra-processed foods. Sugar-sweetened beverages (like soda) made up 49% of unhealthy ads, and unhealthy meals made up 28%. Vending machines on train platforms alone accounted for 40% of all unhealthy food advertising.
- What it means for you: Every time you ride public transportation, you’re likely seeing multiple ads encouraging you to buy unhealthy foods. This repeated exposure can influence what you choose to eat and drink. Being aware of this marketing tactic can help you make healthier choices, even when surrounded by junk food advertisements.
The Research Details
Researchers conducted what’s called a cross-sectional study, which means they took a snapshot in time of all food and beverage advertising on public transport in Western Melbourne. They visited every single bus stop, tram stop, and train station in three local government areas and documented every advertisement they found. They then sorted these advertisements into categories—healthy foods, unhealthy foods, and ultra-processed foods (foods that are heavily processed and often high in sugar, salt, and fat). They counted how many ads fell into each category and looked for patterns.
The researchers also wanted to know if neighborhoods with lower incomes saw more unhealthy food advertising than wealthier neighborhoods. To test this, they used a statistical method called Spearman’s correlation to see if there was a relationship between the amount of unhealthy advertising in each area and how economically disadvantaged that area was.
This research approach is important because it captures the real-world environment that people experience every day. Rather than asking people what they remember seeing, the researchers actually counted and documented everything. This gives us accurate data about how much unhealthy food marketing is happening in public spaces. Public transportation is used by millions of people, so understanding what advertising they’re exposed to helps us understand one factor that might influence eating habits and health outcomes in the community.
This study has several strengths: it examined all advertisements in the selected areas rather than just a sample, making the findings comprehensive for those locations. However, the study only looked at three local government areas in one city (Western Melbourne), so the results may not apply to other cities or countries. The study is descriptive, meaning it tells us what’s there but doesn’t prove that the advertising directly causes people to buy unhealthy foods—that would require additional research. The researchers were transparent about their methods, which makes the study reliable for understanding advertising patterns in the areas they studied.
What the Results Show
Out of 693 total advertisements found on public transport infrastructure, 229 were for food or beverages. Of these 229 food and drink ads, 174 (about 76%) promoted unhealthy or ultra-processed products. This means that roughly three out of every four food advertisements on public transport are for foods that aren’t good for your health.
The most common unhealthy products being advertised were sugar-sweetened beverages (like soda and energy drinks), which made up 49% of the unhealthy ads. The second most common were unhealthy meals (like fast food), accounting for 28% of unhealthy advertisements. When researchers looked at all food ads, 73% were promoting ultra-processed foods—foods that have been heavily manufactured and often contain high amounts of sugar, salt, unhealthy fats, and additives.
One particularly striking finding was that vending machines located on train platforms were responsible for 40% of all unhealthy food advertisements. This means that if you’re waiting for a train, you’re especially likely to see ads and have access to unhealthy snacks. The dominance of unhealthy food marketing on public transport suggests that people using these services are repeatedly exposed to messages encouraging them to consume foods linked to obesity and chronic diseases.
The study found no statistically significant relationship between the amount of unhealthy food advertising and socioeconomic disadvantage. This means that wealthier neighborhoods and lower-income neighborhoods saw similar levels of unhealthy food advertising on public transport. This is an important finding because it suggests that unhealthy food marketing on public transport is a widespread problem affecting all communities, not just those with fewer resources.
Previous research has shown that marketing of unhealthy foods influences what people eat and contributes to obesity and chronic diseases like type 2 diabetes and heart disease. This study adds to that body of evidence by showing that public transport infrastructure—which is government-owned and used by millions of people—is a major venue for this unhealthy food marketing. The findings align with concerns from public health experts that advertising in shared public spaces should be regulated to protect community health, similar to how tobacco advertising has been restricted in many countries.
This study only examined public transport in three local government areas in Western Melbourne, so the results may not apply to other cities, states, or countries with different advertising regulations. The study counted advertisements but didn’t measure whether people actually saw them or were influenced by them—that would require additional research. The researchers also didn’t examine what happened inside buses, trams, or trains themselves, only at the stops and stations. Finally, the study is a snapshot in time, so advertising patterns may have changed since the data was collected.
The Bottom Line
According to Gram Research analysis, policymakers should consider restricting unhealthy food and beverage advertising on government-owned public transport infrastructure. Individuals can protect themselves by being aware that they’re being exposed to marketing designed to influence their food choices and by making conscious decisions to choose healthier options despite the advertising. Parents should talk with children about how advertising works and help them understand that ads don’t always promote foods that are good for our bodies. These recommendations are based on strong evidence that marketing influences eating behavior and that public spaces should support community health.
Everyone who uses public transportation should be aware of this research, as it affects the environment we’re exposed to daily. Parents and educators should care because children are particularly susceptible to food advertising and may not yet understand marketing tactics. Policymakers and city planners should prioritize this research when making decisions about what advertising is allowed on public assets. People concerned about obesity and chronic disease prevention should understand this as one environmental factor that influences health. However, this research doesn’t mean that seeing unhealthy food ads will automatically make you sick—it’s one factor among many that influences health.
The effects of advertising exposure happen gradually over time. You won’t notice a change in your health from avoiding unhealthy food ads for a day or a week. However, if you become aware of marketing tactics and make healthier choices consistently over months and years, you may see improvements in your weight, energy levels, and disease risk. Policy changes to restrict unhealthy advertising on public transport would likely take years to implement but could have significant community-wide health benefits over time.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much of the advertising on public transport is for unhealthy foods?
According to a 2026 study of Western Melbourne public transport, 76% of food advertisements promoted unhealthy or ultra-processed products. Sugar-sweetened beverages made up 49% of these unhealthy ads, and unhealthy meals accounted for 28%.
Does unhealthy food advertising on buses and trains affect what people eat?
Research shows that marketing influences eating behavior and food choices. Repeated exposure to unhealthy food ads on public transport contributes to increased consumption of these products and raises the risk of obesity and chronic diseases like diabetes and heart disease.
Are poorer neighborhoods exposed to more junk food advertising on public transport?
A 2026 study found no significant difference in unhealthy food advertising between wealthier and lower-income neighborhoods on Western Melbourne public transport, suggesting this marketing problem affects all communities equally.
What types of unhealthy foods are most advertised on public transport?
Sugar-sweetened beverages like soda and energy drinks are the most advertised unhealthy products on public transport (49% of unhealthy ads), followed by unhealthy meals like fast food (28%). Vending machines on train platforms account for 40% of all unhealthy advertising.
Can I protect myself from unhealthy food advertising on public transport?
Being aware that advertising is designed to influence your choices is the first step. You can consciously decide to make healthier food choices despite the ads, talk with children about how marketing works, and support policies that restrict unhealthy food advertising on government-owned public assets.
Want to Apply This Research?
- Track the number of unhealthy food advertisements you see during your weekly public transport use. Note the type (beverage, meal, snack) and location (bus stop, train platform, tram station). Over a month, you’ll see patterns in your exposure and can use this awareness to make more intentional food choices.
- When you see unhealthy food advertising on public transport, pause and ask yourself: ‘Do I actually want this, or am I being influenced by the ad?’ Use the app to log a healthier alternative you could choose instead. This builds awareness of how marketing influences your decisions and helps you make choices aligned with your health goals.
- Set a weekly reminder to reflect on your food purchases made during or immediately after public transport use. Track whether you bought advertised items or made independent choices. Over time, this monitoring helps you recognize and resist marketing influence, supporting better long-term eating habits.
This research describes advertising patterns on public transport and their potential relationship to food consumption and health outcomes. It does not prove that viewing advertisements directly causes disease or that any individual will develop health problems from exposure to food marketing. This study was conducted in Western Melbourne, Australia, and findings may not apply to other regions. If you have concerns about your diet or health, consult with a healthcare provider or registered dietitian. This article is for informational purposes and should not be considered medical advice.
This research translation is published by Gram Research, the science division of Gram, an AI-powered nutrition tracking app.