Evidence That Junk-food Ads Do Affect Children's Health
Sydney Morning Herald
Saturday June 19, 2004
The Royal Australasian College of Physicians fully supports Labor's proposed ban on junk food advertising during children's TV programs. In May this year the college launched its policy document on ``Children and the media: advocating for the future". This document focuses on the impact television has on children's health and development and stresses the importance of monitoring the amount and content of television watched by children.
The college believes that there is now good evidence about the impact on children from media technologies, and that this constitutes a health issue. One of the recommendations from the recent policy document is for the college to advocate for the regulation of food advertising during designated children's viewing times.
Furthermore, the college believes that media organisations and the food industry should be held accountable for the consequences of food advertising to children. Accordingly, the RACP urges all governments to introduce appropriate regulation for industry groups so as to minimise the related adverse health and developmental consequences for children.
Dr Jill Sewell and
Professor Don Roberton ,
RACP,
Sydney, June 17.
The television industry is worried that stopping junk food ads will reduce the number of children's programs. Wonderful a double benefit. Less junk food and less TV. Congratulations, Mr Latham. Good policy.
Stephen Downs,
Boambee East, June 18.
If we can't advertise cigarettes to adults, why on earth should we be able to advertise junk food to kids?
James Hamilton,
Mortdale, June 18.
Objectors to a ban on unsuitable fast-food advertising on children's TV make great play of their right to choose what their children eat. For perfect parents that may be valid, but go to any supermarket and watch others caving in to littlies who haven't yet learnt that ``no" means no. Harried mothers in this no-win situation would welcome such a ban. Here's a chance to lessen obesity and parental harassment.
Jack Bacchus,
Bathurst, June 18.
© 2004 Sydney Morning Herald
