The food industry is urged to limit junk food advertising as research from Deakin University shows strong public concern (85 per cent) on unhealthy food marketing.
The study, published in the Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health, is based on a survey of 4000 adults.
Among respondents with at least one child under 18 at home, 19 per cent said they were very concerned, while 33 per cent were somewhat concerned. Another 33 per cent reported being a little concerned, and only 15 per cent were not worried.
Professor Kathryn Backholer, senior author and VP of policy at the Public Health Association of Australia, said parents share the same concerns as health experts.
“Australian children can’t walk to school, go to the shops, or watch TV without being bombarded by junk food ads, and it’s impacting their health,” she said. “Childhood obesity is rising, and preventable diseases continue to increase.”
Regarding public policies, support was highest for banning marketing targeted at children, with 62 per cent in favour and 27 per cent neutral, amounting to 89 per cent overall.
Jane Martin, executive manager of the Food for Health Alliance, said that the processed food industry has been unable to regulate itself for too long.
“The industry puts corporate profits ahead of children’s health,” she said. “The sooner the government steps in, the sooner we can create a healthier environment for kids. We can’t afford to wait.”
Other recommendations included banning TV advertising of unhealthy food before 9pm (86 per cent support or neutral), restricting cartoon characters on unhealthy food packaging (87 per cent), and banning online advertising of unhealthy food and beverages (84 per cent).
Additional measures received strong but slightly lower backing. Banning supermarket checkout displays of unhealthy food had 78 per cent support or neutrality while banning outdoor advertisements (84 per cent) and price discounts for unhealthy food (77 per cent) also gained approval.
Meanwhile, adjunct professor Terry Slevin, CEO of the Public Health Association of Australia, urged political leaders to take a stance on the issue before the federal election.
“Obesity is now Australia’s biggest cause of preventable disease, overtaking tobacco,” he added. “Health is already a key election issue, but we need to go beyond treating illness and focus on prevention – starting with stronger action on junk food advertising.”
