Industry must accept role in obesity battle

A national coalition of peak health organisations say the cost of obesity is spiralling over $60 billion a year pointing to the urgent need to limit children’s exposure to junk food advertising.

The coalition of health agencies says it is time for the food industry to act now to stop all advertising of junk food during the hours most children are watching TV –  from 6am until 9pm.

“The food industry is in a unique position to lead the world by recognising that advertising high-fat, high-salt and high-sugar foods has no place being drilled into children’s minds on TV screens,” said Todd Harper, CEO of the Victorian Health Promotion Foundation.

“Every year, we see future health costs balloon, with more than a quarter of all Australian children obese or overweight, that’s more than 2 million kids, all of whom are exposed to junk food promotions,” Mr Harper said.

“It is time for the food industry to acknowledge the urgency of this problem and act now, rather than being dragged kicking and screaming into the 21st century. They need to accept the impact they are having on our children’s health and begin to act in a meaningful way immediately,” according to the Obesity Policy Coalition’s* senior adviser, Jane Martin.

“The present voluntary codes are window dressing. They do not protect our kids from the junk food companies’ TV ad campaigns and other forms of promotion such as competitions and giveaways,” Ms Martin said.

“How can we expect our kids to eat healthy foods when day after day they are bombarded with adverts for junk?” asked Professor George Rubin, President of the Australasian Faculty of Public Health Medicine of the Royal Australasian College of Physicians.

‘We are calling on the food industry to take a stand. Our children are risking early death through, cancer, diabetes and heart disease if the food industry does not act now,” Professor Rubin said.

“Last year, the total cost of obesity to the Australian community was estimated at $58 billion. On current projections, this cost will now exceed $60 billion a year,” said Professor Mike Daube, President of the Public Health Association of Australia.

“The junk food industry spends upwards of $200 million a year on advertising and promotion, from TV advertising to sports sponsorship,” Professor Daube said.

“Health authorities here and around the world recommend curbs on marketing of junk food to children, including reducing exposure to television advertising,” Professor Daube added.

“National food and physical activities strategies need to be put in place urgently if we are to have any chance of stemming the growing tide of obesity. The food industry needs to lead the way,” said Mr Harper. 

* OPC includes Diabetes Australia Victoria, The Cancer Council Victoria, Victorian Health Promotion Foundation (VicHealth) and the World Health Collaborating Centre for Obesity Prevention at Deakin University.