22 July 2008

NSW leads calls for restrictions on junk food advertising

NSW Minister for Health Reba Meagher will today lead calls for the Commonwealth Government to join State and Territory governments in moving toward tighter restrictions on junk food advertising to children.

Ms Meagher said State and Territory governments have been looking at the issue of junk food advertising to children for the past two years through the Food and Drink Advertising and Marketing Practices State and Territory Working Party.

"This Working Party has greatly improved the understanding of this issue and has contributed to the growing national debate about tighter restrictions on advertising to children," Ms Meagher said.

"But the Commonwealth Government has been missing from this debate. Two years ago, Tony Abbott and the Howard Government ignored the calls of parents to look at this issue and refused point blank to take part in this Working Party.

"With one quarter of all school-aged children now overweight or obese, and with the growing evidence of the impact of advertisements for high fat and high sugar foods influencing the behaviour of children, it's time the Commonwealth came to the table."

During peak children's television periods, Sydney children are exposed to more than 10 advertisements an hour for high fat or high sugar food according to research conducted by the NSW Centre for Overweight and Obesity at the University of Sydney.

The Food Advertising on Sydney Commercial Television: Extent and Nature of Children's Exposure 2006-2007 found:

• the proportion of high fat and high sugar food advertising during the most popular programs for 5-12 year olds increased from 66 per cent to 72 per cent from 2006 to 2007
• in 2007 there were 10.6 advertisements for high fat and high sugar foods per hour during programs most viewed by 5-12 year olds
• a slight decrease in advertising for food overall from 26.2 per cent in 2006 to 24.9 per cent in 2007
• a slight decrease in junk food advertising overall from 43 per cent in 2006 to 38.3 per cent in 2007
• fast food restaurants were the most frequently advertised food group during popular programs with both younger and older children.

"And there is overwhelming evidence that parents want the government to take action that supports their moves toward healthier lifestyles for their children," Ms Meagher said.

"A survey by the Coalition on Food Advertising to Children last year found that almost 90 per cent of parents support a ban on junk food advertising at times when kids watch television.

"The United Kingdom has already moved on this issue, with advertisements for foods high in fat, salt and sugar to be banned during children's programming from 1 January 2009.

"Childhood obesity is a serious and complex issue and there is no one single solution. But a ban on junk food advertising during peak children's television periods is an important step in the right direction."

For a range of health information, go online to www.health.nsw.gov.au