Ministry Welcomes Timely New Evidence on Nutrition
…One study reports an association between school canteen use and students eating more high-sugar and high-fat foods. It also found students using canteens were less likely to consume some healthier foods, such as fruits and vegetables, than non-users…
The Ministry also welcomes the first New Zealand study to compare the costs of a regular food basket with a relatively “healthier” food basket.
"It's great that the study shows healthier alternatives are readily available and cost the same or only a little more than less healthy food. We encourage all shoppers to chose foods that are lower in sugar, salt and fat."
The Ministry of Health has commissioned the Health Sponsorship Council (HSC) to develop and deliver a social marketing programme to improve nutrition and promote healthy weight, as part of the HEHA strategy.
The programme is currently under development and will launch in Autumn 2007, beginning with a mass media campaign, delivered by TV, radio and print media.
'Little Progress' on Childhood Obesity
The [UK] government is not doing enough to tackle childhood obesity, MPs have claimed.
A report published today by the parliamentary public accounts committee (PAC) condemns the Departments of Health, Education and Skills and Culture, Media and Sport's failure to implement a 2004 public service agreement on the issue.
It concludes that, apart from a proposed social marketing campaign, there has been little action to provide specifically designated funds to solve the problem.
Communicating across the network of organisations involved has proved difficult, causing "lamentable… confusion and dithering" according to PAC chairman Edward Leigh.
"The problem of childhood obesity requires co-ordinated and concerted action by all the different agencies involved," Mr Leigh said.
Drug Policy Reform Group to Partner with State of New Mexico in Federally-Funded Meth Prevention Education Program
…"We are going to focus our resources on social marketing and the education of people working with youth. Rather than a one-shot deal, we want to build awareness among youth by engaging them in a campaign that is relevant to them and designed by them. And we are going to focus on capacity. We don't want to create a program that will disappear in two years when the money runs out. That's why we will hold a statewide conference for educators and other people working with youth and concerned about meth -- so they can take what they've learned and plug it back into their schools and local communities." In addition to the statewide conference, DPA New Mexico will host a serious of regional training sessions designed to bring the meth prevention message where it is most needed.
Also Bingaman secures anti-meth campaign funds
Bristol Gets Molson Contract
Bristol, an Atlantic Canadian marketing and communications firm based in Halifax, has landed a national contract to develop a national responsible-drinking campaign for Molson…
Mr. Sampson said the campaign will be different than the don’t-drink-and-drive lecture-style ads that have characterized social marketing efforts on the subject over the past 15 years, but he declined to offer details.
Take This Job and Shovel It
Bostonians are quick to take the high road – in most cases. We banish smokers and cellphone yakkers to back alleys. We work to reduce our carbon footprints, shop organically, and shun blood diamonds. We even pick up dog poop. And, yet, when it comes to shoveling snow from our sidewalks – to thinking and acting locally about a problem under our very feet – we have a blind spot…
So, how can we persuade our neighbors – and, gulp, ourselves – to head out with a shovel in the morning cold, or to come home after a long day’s work and go right back out again, the wind and the kids howling, dinner unmade?
…WalkBoston wants to team up with the Massachusetts Department of Public Health for a “social marketing” campaign, which would attack the issue along health, safety, social isolation, and common courtesy lines. If all goes well, shirking shoveling will be the new smoking.
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