The Prime Minister in Question Time today has shown his lack of understanding of the ways in which Government can assist parents in combating childhood obesity.
Labor supports a ban on junk food advertising during children’s television programs. This will assist parents with the dietary habits of their children. The task of parents is made easier if their children are not constantly requesting junk food and sugary drinks.
Television advertising that influences infant children in this way can also have a detrimental long term impact. It can entrench eating habits that flow through to the teenage years.
A ban on junk food advertising during children’s programs can only assist the nation’s health care and the fight against childhood obesity.
Under a Labor Government all food and drink advertising will be banned during all P (preschool), C (children) classified programs, and during G (General) classified programs that are, as defined by the ABA, clearly aimed primarily at children. Such a ban will not preclude the promotion of healthy eating messages via Community Service Announcements and the like.
A total ban on all food and drink advertising during television programs aimed directly at children is considered to be the only option that will have a genuine impact on “junk” food advertising to children.
While there are many organisations who offer general food consumption guidelines, there are currently no guidelines that are specific enough to determine what individual foods are considered suitable for promotion to children so restrictions based on guidelines are not considered feasible.
It is also possible; in fact highly likely, that any restriction based on guidelines would be circumvented by so-called “junk” food companies using healthy foods to continue to promote their brand name.
While we understand that television advertising is by no means the only factor that influences children’s eating habits, it is one factor that can be controlled by a responsible Federal Government taking action to stop the direct advertising of “junk” food and drinks to our children.
Australian studies show that around 80 per cent of foods advertised during children’s television programs are for non-nutritious or unhealthy foods, and at 12 per hour Australia has more television food advertisements during children’s programming times than any other country, including the US and UK.
Labor knows that children do not have the same capacity that adults have to make educated healthy lifestyle and dietary choices and believes that those in leadership positions should take an active role in ensuring that children are given every opportunity to enjoy a long and healthy life.
Labor will take action where the Howard Government has for eight years, neglected to do so.
Contact: Kate Roffey – (02) 6277 3334 or 0411 969 364
