AMA calls for ban on TV food ads targeting kids
Federal and State Health Ministers meeting today should agree to a ban on television advertising that promotes unsuitable foods directly to kids, usually in peak children's viewing times, Chair of the AMA Child and Youth Health Committee, Dr Michael Rice, said this morning.
An active campaigner against childhood obesity, the AMA recently joined the Coalition on Food Advertising to Children to heighten community efforts to get Australian kids eating better and exercising more.
"Our kids are our future and we must help them get the healthiest possible start in life," Dr Rice said.
"Governments have a vital role to play in improving our children's health.
"Our Health Ministers must today put children's health ahead of the wealth of big business by banning the TV advertising of unsuitable and unhealthy foods to kids.
"The number of Australian children who are overweight or obese has reached epidemic proportions.
"Poor health in childhood increases the real risk of chronic diseases as adults.
"Studies have shown that advertising unsuitable foods during peak children's television viewing times leads to an increase in the consumption of these foods.
"Children very often pester parents to buy these foods and the advertisers know this.
"It is our responsibility to remove all temptations that send kids down the road to bad health. Banning these ads would be a great start," Dr Rice said.
The Coalition on Food Advertising to Children yesterday released a report, Children's health or corporate wealth, which shows that the vast majority of television food advertisements are for foods that are high in fat, sugar or salt, and of low nutritional value. These foods should only make up a minimal part of a child's daily food intake.
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