Category: Action
The recent complaint by a parent about a brightly coloured ad for a sugary drink on the side of a school bus has shown how poorly the advertising industry codes protect children. The advertisement The ad for a bright red and green Hungry Jacks slushie was on the side of a school bus outside a […]
What has the NSW government been doing to address obesity rates? Not enough according to the latest scorecard from Deakin University researchers. The NSW scorecard The researchers asked experts to rate how governments are going on 28 policies that are recognised worldwide as actions needed to address obesity. New South Wales scored low or very […]
Magda’s Big National Health Check was recently on ABC television. The 3-part series explained how the availability, promotion and pricing of highly processed foods make it hard for us all to eat well. Episode 1 highlighted how our kids are being bombarded with unhealthy food and drink advertising. Dr Sandro Demaio explained ‘the cards are […]
After a much-anticipated wait, the NSW Government has released the Healthy Eating and Active Living (HEAL) Strategy 2022-32. Food marketing policy fail At first glance, the strategy seems comprehensive, including prevention programs, advice as part of clinical care, social marketing campaigns and addressing the food and built environment. However, the actions to address the food […]
Cancer Council NSW is asking the NSW government to take a responsible approach to advertising on state property – such as public transport – by removing advertisements for unhealthy food and drinks. Around Australia, other state Cancer Councils are advocating for their governments to do the same. Around the country The ACT government led […]
Positive changes to the rules on what can be advertised on Transport for London (TfL) services have resulted in weekly household purchases of unhealthy foods dropping by 1,000 kcal. Introduction of restrictions In February 2019, restrictions on the outdoor advertising of unhealthy foods and drinks across the TfL network were implemented. This included the London […]
We’ve been out and about looking at what is advertised on Sydney buses this Summer. Unsurprisingly, it’s no different from our previous research from last Summer or the Summer before. The majority of food ads on our buses were for unhealthy products, similar to our findings back in 2018. In our sample of buses across […]
People living with obesity who contract COVID-19 are at increased risk of serious illness. This has contributed to calls to address the unhealthy food environment. Causes of obesity are complex, but much can be linked to the proliferation of unhealthy food and drink and their promotion, availability, and pricing. The National Obesity Strategy The National […]
Childhood obesity is a serious problem in NSW because it affects children’s health and wellbeing now and into the future. Projections into future health costs show that obesity and connected diseases such as cancer will be a major contributor to those costs. Obesity prevention The NSW government invests in addressing obesity in many ways, including […]
It’s been a challenging year but one thing we can be sure of is the end-of-year announcements from Parents’ Voice of the annual winners of the Fame and Shame Awards. The Fame and Shame awards call out the dodgy marketing techniques that food companies use to promote their junk food and drink to children. But […]