KEY POINTS:
Parents want TV ads that promote unhealthy food and drink to children banned, according to a survey commissioned by a heavyweight health group.
The poll, on behalf of the Chronic Disease Prevention Peak Group, found that 82 per cent of 401 parents and grandparents agreed or strongly agreed that advertising unhealthy products "using ads appealing to children" should be stopped.
But there is less support for a blanket ban on all television advertising of food and drink products to children. Only 49 per cent wanted a ban on all products, healthy or not, during children's viewing hours.
Diabetes New Zealand, the National Heart Foundation, Cancer Society, Stroke Foundation and Te Hotu Manawa Maori are all members of the group.
Peak spokesman Professor Norman Sharpe said that a third of those aged 5 to 14 were overweight or obese and advertisers were experts at targeting children.
He wouldn't name the brands that were the worst offenders but said that although businesses such as McDonald's had changed their menus to include fruit and milk, "they're still advertising, they're still hooking children into their products".
"This is advertising which is generally brightly packaged, which advertises energy-dense and nutrient-poor food, very often high in fat, sugar and salt, very often associated with cartoons or children's superheroes. By definition it catches the child's attention - it's marketing 101." Professor Sharpe said his group was likely to face criticism for adding to the "nanny state", but there were bigger issues of concern.
"The current obesity epidemic places our children at greatly increased future risk of chronic diseases. As a community, we have an ethical responsibility to create a safer and healthier environment for our children."
That meant protecting children from the marketing of unhealthy goods, Professor Sharpe said.
The Peak Group wanted to use an upcoming public health bill due before the health select committee to ensure a ban or limits on advertising. Leaving the food or advertising industries to self-regulate would not change their impact on children, he said.
The survey result, with a 5 per cent margin of error, showed a strong mandate for change.
But banning advertising is a cop-out, believes David Walden, president of the advertising industry body CAANZ.
"Everyone agrees there's a problem with obesity; we're not burying our heads in the sand about it. But banning advertising is not a panacea, it's not going to solve the problem."
Many factors led to obesity and television advertising shouldn't be unfairly attacked, Mr Walden said.
"I think people have to take a bit of responsibility for themselves and their children."
Advertising had a role to play in raising awareness about obesity and healthy lifestyles, he said.
"The Government's invested in things like Push Play and that's designed to get people off their backsides, out there and doing things."
Associate Health Minister Damien O'Conner said the Health Ministry was looking at the implications of food advertising to children but it "is not a question of simply banning the advertising of unhealthy food to children".
CHILD-FOCUSED ADVERTISING
* 82 per cent said ban it.
* 95 per cent considered the number of overweight and obese children to be a significant problem.
* A third of children aged between 5 and 14 are overweight or obese.
(Survey of 401 parents and grandparents commissioned by Peak Group - members of which include the National Heart Foundation, Cancer Society, Stroke Foundation, Diabetes New Zealand and Te Hotu Manawa Maori)
