Advertising has fat children responsibility: Anthony
THE topic of advertising’s role in making children fat is back in the spotlight with Federal Children and Youth Affairs Minister Larry Anthony today calling on the advertising industry to take responsibility for promoting healthy lifestyles for children.
Attending the Kid Power 2003 forum in Sydney which focused on marketing to children Anthony said advertisers had a “social responsibility to bear given their influence over children, particularly in regard to promoting healthy lifestyles."
"The key area that needs to be addressed in partnership by governments, families and industry is how we can encourage our children and young people to eat well and to live healthy and active lives," he said in a statement.
Around 25% of Australian children, which numbers about one million, are now overweight, Anthony said.
"Many other children are not eating well because of the `model' images that are promoted."
Anthony said a National Obesity Taskforce, set up with the agreement of all Australian health ministers, had been working on a national plan of action on obesity. The Australian Association of National Advertisers is now working with the Government to launch a national advertising campaign promoting healthy living.
