Call for more government action on childhood obesity
The Australian Consumers Association (ACA) has told a South Australian parliamentary inquiry that most people want more government action on childhood obesity.
Sixty per cent of people surveyed by the Association thought governments could do more to tackle the issue.
The senior food policy officer for Choice, Claire Hughes, says governments can do more to control TV advertisements and other marketing tools.
"But it's now just more than TV ads," she said.
"Kids can be online and looking at manufacturers websites that are encouraging them, I guess, to play games that associate with those unhealthy foods and also, I guess, all the while creating brand awareness for those unhealthy manufacturers."
The Australian Medical Association (AMA) had a similar message for the inquiry, telling it that food advertising during children's TV programs should be banned.
Dr Chris Cain from the AMA told the inquiry that the Government should at least control the amount, frequency and content of advertising.
He says there also needs to be more a holistic approach to the problem of obesity.
"[There needs to be] education programs for parents so they understand what's appropriate to go in kid's lunch boxes," he said.
"There also needs to be programs to ensure that kids have access to and are in fact encouraged to exercise on a regular basis."
Childhood Obesity in Australia