Australia to decide over junk food for its kids

by ozziepost 8 Replies latest social current

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  ozziepost

  At a time when much of the world is starving, the next Australian Federal election will be fought over......................junk food ads!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  Here's today's news item out of the land downunder:

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  Labor targets junk food ads
  21:52 AEST Wed Jun 16 2004
  
  Labor wants to combat childhood obesity by banning junk food advertising during children's television, but Prime Minister John Howard insists parents must take responsibility for what their kids eat.

  The opposition beefed up its push to have all food and drink advertising banned during programs classified for preschoolers and children, as well as general programming.

  Labor will institute the policy if it wins government.

  But Mr Howard rejected calls for the government to follow suit, warning it was reminiscent of a nanny state.

  Mr Howard last month flagged a major offensive to fight childhood obesity, with the government enlisting the help of major sporting codes to help make children more active.

  
  ©AAP 2004
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  thestickman

  "At a time when much of the world is starving, the next Australian Federal election will be fought over......................junk food ads!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

  Am I to conclude from that you think that this matter is trivial given the startling figues on childhood obesity? Your comment about much of the world starving seems to suggest it is stupid for a country with food to care about the nutritional value of this food, simply because there are many parts of the world where the inhabitants don't recieve enough sustenance.

  Personally I think it is a good idea and on a level with the banning of cigarette ads and the restrictions on alcohol advertising. Obviously I disagree with it becoming a major issue, but as a social policy targetted at reducing an epidemic in our society, I think it's good idea.

  -thestickman
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  Special K

  While their banning junk food ads during childrens prime time.. I was wondering if they could also take the pop machines out of the schools.

  I went into the cafeteria in my sons elementary school and asked if I could by an apple or something like that. The cafeteria lady said, "Nope, no fruit. Got tired of carrying it here and having to throw it all out." Geez.. There big seller is good old pressed chicken nuggets.. ewww.

  sincerely

  Special K
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  Stephanus

  I agree with Ozzie on this. I also agree with the PM that it's the parents' responsiblity to monitor and guide their kids' decisions concerning junk-food. Latham can get the Hell out of my family's face, thank you very much!
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  Cassiline

  Your comment about much of the world starving seems to suggest it is stupid for a country with food to care about the nutritional value of this food, simply because there are many parts of the world where the inhabitants don't recieve enough sustenance

  Simply? There is nothing simple about the anaology. People "simply" starving. Huh? I do believe that obesity is a problem-- a major one. Both need to be addressed at least parents can feed their children junk food while in other countries children don't even have the option to turn down a twinkie.

  Cassi
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  thestickman

  "Simply? There is nothing simple about the anaology. People "simply" starving. Huh? I do believe that obesity is a problem-- a major one. Both need to be addressed at least parents can feed their children junk food while in other countries children don't even have the option to turn down a twinkie. "

  Firstly, this is not an analogy, I'd also prefer you not to take my words out of context. I didn't say anything like: "People "simply" starving."

  I don't understand how you defend your position. Are you saying that because people in other parts of the world don't get enough food, having children in Australia eat junk food somehow lessens the fact that others are starving...please explain that. Also, you are changing what the argument is about. Mark Latham is not suggesting we ban fast food, he is not suggesting that it's not the parents responsibilty to monitor the food the child eats, but he is saying that these ads make children want to eat junk food, and that if the ads are removed, then they might not eat it was much.

  Advertising is used for a reason, because it works. If the junk food companies weren't getting more business out of showing the ads, they wouldn't show them any longer.

  Unfortunately I don't have time to continue this post right now.

  thestickman
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  ozziepost

  Stick,

  Mark Latham is not suggesting we ban fast food, he is not suggesting that it's not the parents responsibilty to monitor the food the child eats, but he is saying that these ads make children want to eat junk food,

  Are you serious??????!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! A nation is to fight a national election on the overriding issue of McDonals ads??!!!!! Struth!!! You can't have too much to worry about in Queensland!

  As it is, Australia has many crucial issues that need to be addressed, like its relations with its SE Asian neighbours. In many of those lands, our neighbours, there is dire poverty. Some of it, as in Cambodia, can be said to have been exascerbated by the actions of ourselves and our friends. Yet what has Australia done after serving as UN peacekeepers? Yet in some provinces 40% of children can expect to die early. I guess that most people would find that of requiring greater attention than McDonalds ads on TV.

  You might be a follower of Mark Latham and have joined JWD to post on this issue but for us who are his near-neighbours it's a case of "A prophet is not accepted in his home territory".

  Ozzie (of the not suffering fools gladly class)
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  ozziepost

  This is appearing on this evening's news: (Thought you might like it!)

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  Latham a junk food ad: Abbott 21:47 AEST Wed Jun 23 2004 Federal Health Minister and fitness fanatic Tony Abbott described Opposition Leader Mark Latham as a walking advertisement for junk food. The poisonous comment came during a speech attacking Mr Latham's leadership style as the Canberra political scene heats up ahead of the federal election. "We do not believe that you effectively govern this nation by running around the country striking poses on reading to kids, plastic bags and junk food advertising," Mr Abbott said, referring to some Labor campaigns. "The Leader of the Opposition likes to proclaim that he is into new politics - that is, that he is not cynical, tired, jaded and stale. "So we have all of this talk about cutting out junk food advertising. "Of course, he is a walking advertisement for junk food but, nevertheless, he talks about cutting out junk food advertising." Mr Abbott has previously baited Mr Latham on his fitness and personal appearance, notably earlier this year when the then new opposition leader's so-called man-boobs became the subject of national discussion. ©AAP 2004
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  Max Divergent

  Yeah... fair point point that there being other issues that deserve attention... but....

  Putting it in other language, I think Govt has a responsibility for a well regulated market place that brings benifits to the community.

  Latham is, in a way, saying that the market place has become perverted by companies using crafty tricks to capture a much bigger market share that they would have without the tricks for a food that reduces peoples health and increases sickness and is generally all-around bad in just about way. Capitalism is fine and so is fast food, but there are extremes that we don't or shouldn't allow in a free but regulated market.

  You've no doubt read about the chemical make up of Maccas (et al) food and how the product develops a biological craving for it amongst habitual eaters which is reinforced by a sophisticated marketing campaign that reinfrces the phisiological stuff with well thought out psychology.

  You and I might be strong enough to resist that and do fine. But others aren't and they're getting sick and fat and stupid on this food because of the way it's designed. That means the economy relies on an increasingly fat and sluggsh and sick work force, and that's bad for us all.

  To limit the advertising on this food and to put it under scrutiny and encorage moderate use of it is, I think, somthing a Govt should put it's mind to and Govt is big enough to deal with many, many issues all at once...

  I don't think we have a choice between developing the third world and dealing with food that makes us sick at home - we can do both.

  Max - who loves fast food, but knows it's BAD!! :-)