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Pulling the plug on junk food ads

Published: 19-07-2007.

Kids' waistlines and frazzled parents who are under attack from slick TV junk food marketing promotions have the opportunity to fight back by signing up to the Pull the Plug campaign. The Coalition on Food Advertising to Children (CFAC) is working to change children's TV advertising in a bid to stem childhood obesity and stamp-out kids pestering for unhealthy snacks.

The Coalition is lobbying the Australian Communications and Media Authority to restrict the amount of junk food advertising shown during children's prime time viewing hours when it reviews Children's Television Advertising regulations this year. The Cancer Council NSW, a member of the Coalition, has found that more than 80% of food ads on Australian TV promote unhealthy foods!

Hugh Cowan is a concerned parent and member of the Parents Jury - a web-based network of parents wanting to improve the food and physical activity environments for children in Australia. Hugh says the changes are necessary because young children have trouble distinguishing between the fact and fiction they see on the TV.

"As an adult, I can make clear distinctions between what the media portray, and what is real - they use a bit of artistic license to stretch the truth," he says. "But my six and 8-year-old are unable to distinguish between ‘ad land' and reality. You are bombarded from every medium. Kids are wide-eyed; they take everything in."

The repetitious advertising has virtually brainwashed Hugh's youngest child, and as a result, he often hears him chanting marketing slogans. The slogans are provoking kids to pester parents for the unhealthy snacks and drinks their favourite Disney character or sporting hero are often promoting!

While we realise restricting TV advertising won't eradicate childhood obesity, experts predict it would go a long way towards helping to lower it, as evidence shows strong links between food promotions and children's food preferences, consumption and household purchases. The Coalition needs your support so it can help protect our kids' health.

You can sign on to the campaign by visiting www.cancercouncil.com.au/pulltheplug and if you want to join a group of parents (or relatives) who are concerned about children's health and well being, become a member of the Parents Jury http://www.parentsjury.org.au/

Your comments

Comments provided by Parents Jury Members.
Join The Parents Jury and add your commentsAdd your comments

I agree, there should more of a push for children to enjoy fresh fruit or vegetables. There is no money in making our children eat healthy food. The children are convinced that a snack bar or whatever will give them super powers and they get a free toy with it.

Russell Wilson

If children were not sitting in front of the t.v. so much junk food adds would be irrelevant. My daughter did not start requesting junk food until she started school. Not because of the canteen, but because she was seeing what was in her friends lunches. Advertising is freedom of speech and if there is something you don't agree with you can be proactive straight away, just turn the t.v. off and play a game or read a book with you child.

Julie Johansen

Yeap, restrict TV time. Now here is a radical idea, get the kids outside and get them to use their imaginations and play just like we all used to.

Kylie Drost

Don't waste all this time trying to ban advertising use the energy in saying one simple work to your kids "NO". I think parents are so keen on banning the ads as they cant stand there little johny having a tantrum so they give in....

S Gurry

Food advertising will never go away because there is too much money at stake for government bodies to lose, so as a concerned parent and grand parent just be a parent and learn to say no to your children, as young as they are they know how to manipulate, every parent loves their child and are concerned for their health of course but you have to make wise choices where it concerns your childrens eating habits. Learn to say NO.

Barbara Rawnsley