Marc Wellness International Blog

The consumer advocacy body’s proposed a ban to prohibit all radio and TV ads for foods high in fat, sugar and salt between 6am and 9pm on Australian TV. With up to 15 junk food ads viewed each hour, during children’s television viewing time it is about time someone has taken some sort of action to get these ads banned! Check out the table above taken straight from the Sun Herald on March 16. It provides a breakdown of the free to air fast food sell and lists fast food commercials on channels 7, 9, and 10 which were shown between 6pm and 9pm on Thursday 13th March!

In having so many junk food ads on TV it creates pestor power for parents and the environment we live today is difficult enough already for parents having to fight off the temptations of supersize options and convenient drive thru fast food resturants. With kids exposure to junk foods on TV which are high in fats, sugar and salt promotes an idea to them that junk food is fun and attractive to eat. But reality is most of these foods advertised are so unhealthy for kids and they do not need to be consumed on a regularly daily basis.

What there needs to be is 15 food ads per hour promoting healthy food options that are fun and attractive to replace the junk food commercials.

This call of action really needs to go directly to the government, they need step up and help fight this obesity epidemic which is shortening the life span of many Australians.  But instead of making a decision right now, a spokeswomen for the health and ageing minister Nicola Roxon responded with “We are not looking at changing existing regulations right now. There is a review by Australian Communications and Media Authority due out later this year and we will be examining its findings”

Ok…so from that comment we have no action right now and maybe we will address the problem later in the year! Hummm….the title of the article in the paper read “It worked in Canada and now the call is to ban junk food ads on TV in Australia!” Interesting isn’t it, that other countries have tested it such as Canada as well as Sweden, Norway, Belgium, Denmark, Italy and Ireland - So what is Australia waiting for?

Our suggestions would be in the meanwhile, try to limit the TV time your children watch currently. Get them off the couch and outside playing. Set some restrictions such as no TV before 6pm or no TV before school. And encourage kids after school to go outside and play with friends or mum and dad. Another alternative if mum and dad are busy and can’t play outside everyday is to encourage your kids to have fun with arts and crafts or reading instead of watching TV.

Share you thoughts and comments with us - Do you think junk food ads should be banned on Australian TV?

Looking after your health,

Richard & Joey Marc

The Wellness Duo