The Obesity Policy Coalition has applauded Tasmanian Minister for Consumer Protection, Nick McKim, for taking the lead in protecting children from junk food advertising by calling for an investigation today.
Senior Policy Adviser for the Obesity Policy Coalition, Jane Martin said that Minister McKim’s announcement was an extremely important step in tackling childhood obesity.
“Restrictions on junk food advertising are an essential element to a comprehensive approach to tackling overweight and obesity. The evidence shows that junk food advertising has a significant impact on the types of food that children prefer, pester their parents for and consume. “
It is very encouraging to see a state such as Tasmania recognising the importance of the issue and its ability to take action around restricting junk food advertising to children including on free-to-air TV,” she said.
Ms Martin said that many great health promotion initiatives aimed at children were being undermined by the constant bombardment of junk food promotion.
“At present children can’t escape junk food advertising, it is embedded in the environments where they learn and play, Minister McKim’s announcement is an incredibly positive step in protecting them from this pervasive promotion,” she said.
About the Obesity Policy Coalition
The Obesity Policy Coalition is a group of leading public health agencies who are concerned about the escalating levels of overweight and obesity, particularly in children. The Obesity Policy Coalition partners include Diabetes Australia Victoria, The Cancer Council Victoria, Victorian Health Promotion Foundation (VicHealth) and the World Health Organization Collaborating Centre for Obesity Prevention at Deakin University.
Contact: Rebecca Cook 0438 316 435 / 9635 5207