The International Obesity Task Force is calling on UN agencies and governments to develop enforceable standards protecting children from exploitive food advertising and marketing practices for junk foods (yes, there is a difference). The effort is aimed at reducing the prevalence of obesity. The draft recommendations are being circulated for comment and reportedly include:
- Bans or limitations to TV and newspaper advertising, sponsorship, loyalty schemes, competitions and product placement targeted at children aged 13 or less.
- Supporting the rights of the child to have adequate access to safe and nutritious food.
- Commercial-free schools.
- International codes that regulate marketing to children across borders via the Internet, and satellite and cable television.
Note that most of the recommendations only apply to communication and promotion practices. If tobacco use was only dealt with by restrictions on commercials and bans on vending machines in schools, we'd still be in the 1970s in terms of smoking behaviors.
Maybe product modifications, incentives and costs for both consumers and businesses, and availability and access to healthier choices need to be stressed more in the final document. And please, not more education programs!
They might have needed the information, but it didn't seem to make the veggies taste any better.
Technorati Tags: Food Marketing, Health Education, International Obesity Task Force, Obesity
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