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2:13PM Wednesday 03 December, 2008

Junk food ad ban

12:00a.m. 27th August 2008

The state government is considering banning junk food advertising on children’s television to help reverse the alarming rate of overweight and obese children in Queensland.

Premier Anna Bligh and health minister Stephen Robertson released a discussion paper yesterday inviting public feedback on restricting junk food ads.

“Queensland is now facing a problem of epidemic proportions that will have devastating consequences if left unchecked,’’ Ms Bligh said.

“One in five children aged between five and 17 are overweight or obese and this rate is growing.

“Children as young as five now have type 2 diabetes which was solely considered an adult condition only about a decade ago. Overweight children are 78% more likely to become overweight adults, leading to the well-supported prediction that this generation of kids will be the first to die younger than their parents.

“We can no longer ignore the influence TV can wield over our children’s food choices,’’ Ms Bligh said. “I, as a parent, know all too well the ‘pester power’ junk food ads can cause, making it very difficult for mums and dads to say no to frequent requests from their children.’’

Mr Robertson said that on average Queensland children who watched television did so for more than two hours a day, exposing them to at least 60 ads a week promoting foods that are high in energy and low in nutrients.

Gary Rice, the former managing director and CEO of Channel Seven, said it was up to parents and not Ms Bligh to regulate the diets of children.

Mr Rice, who now manages Oceans Resort at Mooloolaba, was recently selected on the 20-person Australian Advertising Standards Board.

“I don’t support Queensland – or anywhere in Australia – being a “nanny” state or country where governments sometimes take regulation too far,’’ Mr Rice said. “It’s up to parents at the end of the day to teach their children about eating healthily...’’

Recent Comments

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Posted by sunnyone44 from Mooloolaba
on 27 August, 2008 at 5:29 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
I do not believe it is up to Ms Bligh to dictate to parents what they can and cannot give their children to eat. Ms Bligh is effectively trying to rule the roost in too many areas of our lives. I see nothing wrong in giving children a treat once or twice a week.Perhaps for some parents the cooking skills are not as great as others are and wouldn't it be a better idea to educate the parents with sensible methods of preparing home made alternatives that children will readily eat . Every week there is some guru telling us all just what we should and should not eat or do in our lives.The reality these days is that people are battling to afford the kinds of healthy food we all should be eating. Perhaps if Ms Bligh stopped trying to run our lives and started to fix a few of the other major problems like hospitals, police numbers etc before inviting herself into our kitchens and lives.To me to limit the amount of advertising is to infringe on our freedom of choice.By all means show children the healthier snacks and make them attractive and entertaining and who knows it may work much better than a heavy handed approach.I learnt a long time ago that you do not talk down to children and teenagers you talk TO them and they respond much better.
Posted by Terry from Peregian Beach
on 27 August, 2008 at 6:04 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
I seem to remember this issue being raised previously. It seems to be raised mid-election cycle when the Government needs a platform to raise their profile on family issues but never do anything about. Maybe Anna wants to run ads for the ALP in their place - get 'em exposed to ALP junk instead!
Posted by newsblog from Coolum
on 27 August, 2008 at 6:49 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
Oh I thought it was the FEDERAL government that controlled television advertising/programming/transmission in this country, or is Captain Bligh moving in on Kev's territory now?

I agree with the sentiment on junk food, I just don't trust the meglomaniac who thinks she runs the world.
Posted by chillibin from little mountain
on 27 August, 2008 at 7:38 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
I'm sick of this over regulation of everything. It is parents who feed their children this garbage on a regular basis that is making them overweight, not the TV ads. The school tuckshops have already been hit hard by having to take out all fatty foods - the tuckshop at my kids' school has lost so much business over this and healthy kids no longer have an option of a once a week treat. As usual, the good parents suffer because of the neglectful few. The tuckshop regulations did nothing to stop the eating habits of the obese kids - their parents simply send the donuts to school with them. Make cooking classes compulsory at a young age - teach our kids how to make healthy, tasty food instead of shutting down TV ads.
Posted by Livski
on 27 August, 2008 at 7:50 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
I totally agree with Anna. I can hear the booing and hissing, but why should kids be constantly exposed to advertising? My daughter doesn't watch TV now because of the advertising. Fair enough - people have to make money and I would be all for small businesses advertising their wares - fruits and veges - during kids' morning programming, but to have my child constantly bombarded by ads promoting wheat and sugar products is disgusting.

This advertising should definitely be regulated. This has nothing to do with talking down to kids and teenagers sunnyone44; it's about letting kids be kids and not subjecting them to advertising that is designed to get them to nag and whinge for a specific product.

This advertising is not directed at adults sunnyone44 - it is directly aimed at children, therefore how is Anna dictating to adults what kids should or shouldn't eat?

Think about how effective advertising is - that's why the graphic no smoking ads were made and why the drink driving and fatigue adds are shown - directed to a target audience of adults. Children's TV shows shouldn't be littered with trashy ads which will actually program them to be consumers when they grow up.

When you see ads for things on TV as an adult - sales and specials and interest free no deposit laybys -how many people do you think get suckered in and buy those products? How do you explain to a small child that cocoa pops are not actually good for you when the TV is telling them constantly that they are? Sure, the TV stations have to make money and ads contribute to their income, but it looks to me like they are getting mega rich, not just making money.
Posted by nazdav from buderim
on 27 August, 2008 at 8:29 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
Perhaps she would be better off doing something about the cost of healthy foods like fresh fruit, veges and meat. Many low income families are finding that it is cheaper to buy junk food such as much of what is in the frozen department, than to buy fresh food.
Posted by JustThinking from Kawana
on 27 August, 2008 at 8:40 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
I don't see it as any 'biggy' to ban the advertising during children's hours.

As chillibin refers to, the lazy and indulgent parents are still going to feed their children copious amounts of rubbish whether they see it advertised on telly or not.

It's not much to do with having round table discussions with kids, or half hour rationalisations about it all. It's a simple matter of saying 'no' and getting children in to the habit of eating decent food, and junk food as treats.
Posted by GiveUsABreak from MindlessRants
on 27 August, 2008 at 9:34 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
Many countries have already followed the overwhelming evidence and moved to restrict television advertising to children. They include the United Kingdom, New Zealand, Sweden, Belgium, Denmark, Italy, Greece, Ireland and Quebec (Canada).

The Queensland Government has the power to restrict TV advertising in state legislation and, simultaneously with Queensland, South Australia has also released a discussion paper inviting public feedback on junk food advertising.

The Queensland discussion paper on banning junk food advertising from children's programming is at health.qld.gov.au
Posted by JustThinking from Kawana
on 27 August, 2008 at 9:47 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
The argument that junk food is cheaper than good food just isn't washing with me. What's a packet of chips - a $1.50? $1.50 buys a few pieces of fruit which is a much healthier, plus much better value per gram weight, than a packet of chips.

A box of frozen meat pies would cost the same as a healthy several lunches of healthy bread, cheese and tomato sandwiches.

Meat can be expensive I agree, but stick to the 1/3 meat and 2/3 veges on a dinner plate and it's then more affordable. Much healthier and affordable than $12 worth of frozen pizzas and chips.
Posted by sunnyone44 from Mooloolaba
on 27 August, 2008 at 10:45 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
Livski, I do believe I suggested Healther Alternative advertising tagetting children and to make THAT advertising more appealing to children. Parents need to be parents and so a very firm NO to repeated requests for what is meant to be a treat and I also said that I saw nothing wrong in treating children to a treat once or twice a week.

You as the parent set the guidelines not the child. You have control of the purse strings and yes I do know just how frustrating it is to have a child whinging that they want to go to a certain takeaway place and that is why I would treat my own children to a treat twice week.I would get up in the morning and announce at breakfast to my children Its treat day today. Much joy from the children no nagging from the children,the children would choose where they wanted to go not me .I just went along as the holder of the purse.
Posted by Jewel from Maroochydore
on 27 August, 2008 at 11:05 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
Exactly JustThinking, the price of having junk food is much higher than the price of healthy eating, even if you happen to buy organic. A visit to the fast food outlets should be left as treats only not as weekly rituals. The excuse of no time to cook does not wash with me, its by far easier and quicker to throw a few things in the wok than to drive down to the local Macca's........much better for your pocket, your waist line and your arteries!

Its up to us as parents to instill into our children the art of healthy eating and exercising, the statistics of obesity in children is frightening and in the not so distant future will start impacting on our health system (if not so already).......its a vicious cycle.
Posted by MissMarina from The Coast
on 27 August, 2008 at 11:10 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
Wrong, wrong Jewel - junk food is so popular BECAUSE it is so much cheaper than fresh fruit, veggies etc. It is also A LOT easier to zip through the drive-through and have dinner in your hands within minutes.
Haven't you seen those very persuasive KFC ads, where they advertise dinner specials where you can get a mountain of food, plus dessert, for under $20.
I challenge you to feed a family of four - healthily - on just a 20.
Sadly it is impossible these days, when the drought and cheap imports are forcing the price of fresh produce up and up.
Posted by JustThinking from Kawana
on 27 August, 2008 at 11:21 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
For $20 I could make a spag boll (ingredients approx. $4 mince, grated zucchini, garlic & carrot, onion $2, $3 pasta, $1 tomato paste and stock cube) followed by apple crumble ($4 green apples, $3 for butter, oats, coconut and sugar) with a $3 container of custard. Would get leftovers out of that too.
Posted by MissMarina from The Coast
on 27 August, 2008 at 11:30 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
Wow, JustThinking, where on earth do you get zucchini, garlic, carrot and onion all for $2?? And $3 for butter, oats, coconut AND sugar?? Goodness.

Where is this special, cut-price store??

Back in 1984 would be my guess.
Posted by chillibin from little mountain
on 27 August, 2008 at 11:55 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
I feed my family of four every night for a whole lot less than $20. Like JustThinking stated a spag bol is a very cheap meal and I could make a large pot of that for much cheaper than $20. A tuna pie is another easy and cheap dish. People have become too fussy and dont want to cook the cheaper meals and think it cant be done. Stop buying the $7 boxes of fancy cereals and buy a $1.50 bag of rolled oats - much healthier (even lowers cholestorol) and have some change over to add to your dinner budget.
Posted by JustThinking from Kawana
on 27 August, 2008 at 12:04 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
MM...that's the cost of the amount you'd use for the one recipe mix, not the whole packet. You don't need to use a whole packet of butter, oats, coconut and sugar for one apple crumble, and a whole kilo of zucchinis/carrots in one spag boll etc unless you've got a family with 12 children in it and a darn big oven. This is to feed a family of four from Woolworths back in last weekend.

I've just cooked up a batch of home-made pies for a meal tonight for a family of four. One packet of shortcrust pastry ($4), three potatoes, 1 onion ($2 max) and a tin of corned beef ($4) along with a couple of dollars worth of frozen peas & carrots makes a nice, home-made nutritious meal for around $10-$12.
Posted by sunnyone44 from Mooloolaba
on 27 August, 2008 at 12:34 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
Healthy recipe for Apple crumble. take 1 can of pie apple, 1 large cup of a home brand or other mueslie , a handful of sultanas or raisins .1/2 cup of brown sugar . melt approx 60 gms of butter in microwave $2.18 Smart buy butter at Coles for 500 grams. put Pie apple into a casserole dish, mix melted butter into muesli, and sprinkle brown sugar etc on top of apple and muesli put in oven (moderate) bake until a little brown on top and oh yeah forgot to say put a bit of cinammon in the apple for more flavour.Takes about 10 mins to prepare and is delicious whats more it is also diabetic friendly. I also use a muesli that does not have too much dried pineapple etc in it. As with all things moderation is the key ..
Posted by sav77 from Currumundi
on 27 August, 2008 at 12:39 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
Just think of kawana, i'd have to agree with the others, it is cheaper to eat unhealthily than healthily. I can buy a weeks worth of pies and gems for under $10, I cannot buy a weeks worth of veg for under $10. Using frozen peas and carrots, isn't eating healthy, as they are not fresh, and how can you call a tin of corned beef nutritious, sure it may not have as much fat content as a Mcdondalds burger, but nutritious, your not just thinking, your dreaming
Posted by JustThinking from Kawana
on 27 August, 2008 at 1:30 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
Snap frozen veges are just as good as fresh. In fact, if you overcook fresh veges then you've probably cooked out more of the goodness out of them than the frozen variety.

sav...did you miss the part where there were veges with the corned beef? I've yet to see a McDonalds burger that has a side serving of peas and carrots? And much better than your frozen pie with goodness knows what in it with potato gems.
Posted by chillibin from little mountain
on 27 August, 2008 at 1:49 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
well sav77 your comment regarding frozen veges and the fact that they aren't healthy intrigued me so I did a bit of quick research. It seems frozen veges contain quite a few nutrients as their vitamins etc are preserved as most veges are frozen very quickly after harvest. In some cases the vitamin C content was higher than in fresh veges as a lot of veges sit on supermarket shelves for lengthy periods and lose nutrients. Of course fresh is best, however frozen veges are a very good and healthy alternative. Chuck a few in a homemade pie and enjoy a cheap dinner!
Posted by debbiemagee from Buderim
on 27 August, 2008 at 2:04 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
Will people stop deliberately misconstruing this story.

Noone is saying 'PARENTS! I AM TELLING YOU WHAT TO EAT'. They are saying that children should not be subjected to advertising by companies that cause untold health problems.

Junk Food is as deadly as tobacco. Would you like your cigarette adverts aimed at your kids?

Actually, let the junk food adverts continue then the kids of those parents thick enough to feed them this slop will die early, thus improving the gene pool
Posted by Jewel from Maroochydore
on 27 August, 2008 at 4:14 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
Missmarina still think your'e wrong on this one and sav77 a weeks worth of pies and gems for $10.....whats the food value in that I ask?? All your'e doing is filling up the family on highly processed junk with absolutely no nutritional benefit at all......shame on you!
Ban the ads we dont need them.
Posted by sav77 from Currumundi
on 27 August, 2008 at 4:19 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
chillibin, I'm sure the research you investigated must be accurate, and I am positive Birdseye didn't fund the research to begin with. How ever FROZEN VEG are no where near as HEALTHY AS FRESH VEG, and it amazes me that I can over cook fresh veg, but not frozen veg.

Canned corned beef, is I'm sure just as nutritious as uncanned corned beef, devon, bacon, ham, and all the other PROCESSED meats down the local deli.

And as i stated your pies would have less fat content, but would be stretching beating most maccas burgers on nutrients, remember the tomato hasn't been cook, nor has the lettuce. unlike your precious carrots and peas, that where snap frozen by what chemicals, and process.
Posted by chillibin from little mountain
on 27 August, 2008 at 4:59 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
i didnt look at birdseye research sav. I looked at a neutral study conducted at a University. The facts are there that frozen vegetables are a healthy alternative and I didnt say they were as healthy as fresh. Read the research instead of having a closed mind. Frozen vegetables can be used as an alternative to fresh if you cant afford fresh as many people state. It is a lot cheaper than junk food. For those that say junk is cheaper, I still maintain they have no skills in cooking.
Posted by Mungogerrie from Tewantin
on 27 August, 2008 at 5:25 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
A lot of the problems facing parents who are concerned about the obesity problems with their children is their busy life style. I don't mean their social life either.
Life is so demanding on young families with huge debts and working parents on the run have to sometimes resort to take aways and easy options. Some children spend a lot of time indoors in front of TV or computers because they are loners who have been bullied or are not allowed to play outside until their working parents get home.

Some of us grew up in an environment where our mum was home after school with a healthy snack and our evening meal was delicious but plain food.
Posted by JustThinking from Kawana
on 27 August, 2008 at 7:31 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
Sav...you're entitled to your opinion the same as anyone else. But I think I'll continue feeding my kids with the homecooked potato/meat pie with veges and the spag boll with pasta and veg. And you're welcome to continue feeding yours with Maccas and frozen meat pies and potato gems.
Posted by Jason from Pomona
on 27 August, 2008 at 8:55 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
For a family of four, pumpkin, broccolli, chilli, corriander all picked fresh from the organic vege patch (20c) (10 x10 metres which includes paths between the beds), rice ($1), a chug of ketchup manus (sweet soy saurce) ($0.20), fresh ginger ($0.5), 4 cloves of garlic ($0.5), garam marsala (spices) ($0.80), splash of sunflower oil ($0.10) 1 kilo of free range chicken $16 or as you don't have to eat meat with every meal, organic tofu for $4.

Not every meal needs to have meat, a couple of nights a week without meat will do wonders for your budget. Kangaroo is a prime healthy meat that is not exspensive or with the money you save with the odd none meat meal, treat your family to a feed of Australian wagyu beef.

Raw sweet corn, raw peas, strawberries all fresh from the vege patch are delights that will stay with children throughout their lives. Not everyone lives in a unit and if renting, from experience, grass only takes a month to recover on fertile soil.
Posted by Phil_Surfmore from Alex
on 28 August, 2008 at 3:39 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
Worst kids ad must be for push pops. A crap product that is advertising its packaging using a kangaroo yelling in an American accent. No way!

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