Public health experts are calling for the next Federal Government to take action to stop junk food ads targeting children, after new research showed that the issue is a concern for 85% of caregivers.
The new study of almost 4,000 adults, led by Deakin University and published in the Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health, also showed that there was a high level of support amongst Australian adults for Government initiatives that would help protect children from unhealthy food marketing.
Lead author Clara Gomez-Donoso from the Global Centre for Preventive Health and Nutrition, Institute for Health Transformation, Deakin University, says that the research provides a clear picture of Australians' support for restricting unhealthy food marketing across diverse media and settings.
"More than 60 percent of Australian adults support a ban on the marketing of unhealthy food and beverages to children. Banning unhealthy food advertising on TV before 9pm and removing child-appealing marketing elements like cartoons from unhealthy food packaging are also popular policies, supported by more than half of respondents."
Senior author Professor Kathryn Backholer, from Deakin University and Vice President, Policy at the Public Health Association of Australia, says that the study shows that parents have the same fears as public health experts when it comes to the way junk food companies target children.
"The results show that Australians are concerned about the current situation when it comes to junk food advertising in Australia – and rightly so. Our children can't walk to school, go to the shops or sit down and watch TV without being bombarded with unhealthy food advertising and it's affecting their health. Childhood obesity rates are increasingly, while preventable disease in our community continues to grow."
Adj Prof Terry Slevin, CEO, Public Health Association of Australia, says that the publication of peer-reviewed academic research showing that Australian parents are concerned about junk food advertising to children should prompt all candidates to consider their position ahead of the 3 May federal election.
"Obesity in Australia is a public health ticking timebomb and a huge challenge for our nation. It has recently overtaken tobacco as our biggest cause of preventable disease burden.
"It is early in the election campaign, but already health has been placed as a key election issue. Our question is – when are we going to stop focusing exclusively on health treatment, Medicare, hospitals and urgent care, and do more to keep all Australians, particularly our future generations, healthy and well? That's why we are asking the next Federal Government to take meaningful action on obesity prevention – including stopping our children's health being damaged by unhealthy food and drink companies."
Jane Martin, Executive Manager Food for Health Alliance, also called for swift government action.
"The processed food industry has been left to make its own rules for too long, and its actions put corporate profits ahead of children's health. The sooner government steps in to protect children from the sheer volume of powerful advertising, the sooner we can start to create a healthier environment for our kids to grow up in, improving their diets, health and wellbeing. We can't afford to wait,' Ms Martin concluded.
Table 1: Concern among caregivers about unhealthy food marketing
Very concerned |
Somewhat concerned |
A little concerned |
Not concerned |
|
% of respondents with at least one child under 18 living at home |
19% |
33% |
33% |
15% |
Table 2: Public opinion towards unhealthy food marketing policies among adults in Australia
Ban on |
Support |
Neutral |
Support and Neutral |
Oppose |
Ban price discounts for unhealthy food |
40% |
37% |
77% |
23% |
Ban marketing of unhealthy food and beverages online |
47% |
37% |
84% |
16% |
Ban advertising of unhealthy food and beverages on TV before 9pm |
54% |
32% |
86% |
14% |
Ban unhealthy foods at supermarket checkouts |
45% |
34% |
78% |
21% |
Ban marketing unhealthy food and beverages to children |
62% |
27% |
89% |
11% |
Ban outdoor advertisements for unhealthy food and beverages |
47% |
37% |
84% |
16% |
Ban the use of cartoon characters and other elements that may appeal to children on the packaging of unhealthy foods |
56% |
31% |
87% |
13% |
