Majority of Australian Parents Alarmed by Junk Food Advertising Targeting Children

Public health authorities in Australia are urging the incoming Federal Government to take decisive measures against junk food marketing aimed at children, following a recent study revealing that 85% of parents express concern over this issue.

The research, conducted by Deakin University and published in the Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health, surveyed nearly 4,000 adults. The findings indicate overwhelming support among Australians for government initiatives designed to shield children from unhealthy food advertisements.

Lead researcher Clara Gomez-Donoso, affiliated with Deakin University's Global Center for Preventive Health and Nutrition, noted that the study highlights the public's backing for restrictions on unhealthy food marketing across various media platforms. Over 60% of respondents endorsed a ban on marketing unhealthy food and beverages to children. Additionally, more than half of the participants supported policies such as prohibiting unhealthy food advertising on television before 9 PM and eliminating child-friendly marketing elements, like cartoons, from unhealthy food packaging.

Professor Kathryn Backholer, a senior author of the study and Vice President of Policy at the Public Health Association of Australia, indicated that the survey results reflect parents' shared anxieties with public health experts regarding the aggressive targeting of children by junk food companies.

"The study underscores a significant concern among Australians regarding the current landscape of junk food advertising. Our children are inundated with unhealthy food promotions in their daily lives--whether walking to school, visiting shops, or watching television--and this constant exposure is detrimental to their health. Rates of childhood obesity are on the rise, along with preventable diseases within the community," Backholer stated.

Adjunct Professor Terry Slevin, CEO of the Public Health Association of Australia, emphasized the urgency of addressing obesity as a pressing public health crisis. He noted that it has recently surpassed tobacco as the leading cause of preventable disease burden in the country.

"As the election campaign progresses, health has emerged as a pivotal issue. We must shift our focus from merely treating health conditions to proactive measures that promote the health of all Australians, particularly the next generation. It is imperative that the new Federal Government implements effective obesity prevention strategies to safeguard our children's health from the detrimental effects of unhealthy food and beverage companies," Slevin remarked.

Jane Martin, Executive Manager of the Food for Health Alliance, echoed the call for immediate government intervention. "The processed food industry has operated with minimal regulation for far too long, prioritizing profits over children's health. Swift government action is essential to mitigate the overwhelming influence of aggressive advertising, allowing us to foster a healthier environment where children can thrive, improving their diets and overall well-being," Martin concluded.