Children are exposed to almost 3000 ads for junk food every year on their way to and from school, according to a new study.
The study authors say the constant bombardment of those messages then influence their food preferences and, in turn, contribute to childhood obesity.
They are calling on state governments to ban junk food advertising on state-owned property such as buses and trains.
ACT has already removed it from their bus network and Queensland is set to phase out unhealthy marketing from its outdoor advertising spaces.
Banning junk food ads on government property “would demonstrate a commitment to creating environments that help children to develop healthy eating habits and would support other government initiatives to reduce childhood obesity,” they argue.
Obesity Policy Coalition Executive Manager Jane Martin said it was time to set higher standards for how the food industry markets and sells the food we eat to our kids.
“With over a quarter of Victorian kids above a healthy weight we want to see higher standards for marketing to kids and teenagers,” Ms Martin said.
“We want to see a restriction on unhealthy food and drink advertising during peak viewing times for kids on television and social media, restrictions to make sport and major community events free from unhealthy food and drink sponsorship, and mandatory regulation to stop unhealthy advertising in government owned spaces like train and bus stations.
“Government controls have been introduced in other countries, such as Chile – we should also be ensuring that we protect our kids from the unhealthy influence of the food and drink industry.”
