Junk Food Britain
Tuesday 10th October, 2006 10:18 Comments: 8
I was reading a Sky News article that said: Consumer groups and health campaigners have called for a ban on junk food TV ads aimed at children before the 9pm watershed. This sounds like a crazy idea to me.
Which? and 23 other organisations want an advertising watershed for foods high in fat, salt or sugar. But what's the point? Kids can still go out and buy the unhealthy food at any time in the day. Adverts for cigarettes are only allowed in certain places, and we have a stricter system of advertising regulation in the UK which bans advertising of alcohol which could appeal to under 18s, particularly in regard to TV advertising, but that's all enforced by making it illegal to drink before you're 18 (unless in a pub with a meal) or smoke before you're 16. If they're going to ban adverts before the watershed, they might as well make it illegal for kids to enter McDonalds on their own, and they'll have to produce ID if they want to buy that sandwich with a high salt content (the Ham and Mustard sandwich I love to eat contains something like 48% of my recommended daily intake of salt) next time they're at the supermarket.
Perhaps we should ban Top Gear, or only show it after the watershed, just in case kids watch it and decide to joyride? Perhaps we should ban all sexual contact in TV shows before the watershed, in case it encourages underage sex? Perhaps some of these organisations should get some common sense and stop trying to mess with our lives, and do something genuinely useful for a change.
Which? and 23 other organisations want an advertising watershed for foods high in fat, salt or sugar. But what's the point? Kids can still go out and buy the unhealthy food at any time in the day. Adverts for cigarettes are only allowed in certain places, and we have a stricter system of advertising regulation in the UK which bans advertising of alcohol which could appeal to under 18s, particularly in regard to TV advertising, but that's all enforced by making it illegal to drink before you're 18 (unless in a pub with a meal) or smoke before you're 16. If they're going to ban adverts before the watershed, they might as well make it illegal for kids to enter McDonalds on their own, and they'll have to produce ID if they want to buy that sandwich with a high salt content (the Ham and Mustard sandwich I love to eat contains something like 48% of my recommended daily intake of salt) next time they're at the supermarket.
Perhaps we should ban Top Gear, or only show it after the watershed, just in case kids watch it and decide to joyride? Perhaps we should ban all sexual contact in TV shows before the watershed, in case it encourages underage sex? Perhaps some of these organisations should get some common sense and stop trying to mess with our lives, and do something genuinely useful for a change.
Fab - Tuesday 10th October, 2006 12:05 But dont forget those wee young minds are far too susceptible to bad influences. Hence the call to stop the advertising before the watershed. Otherwise I agree with you, the adverts are chronic in the cinema, nevermind the TV. You also have to blame the parents for not teaching the kids self restraint. I went to boarding school and could have stuffed my face away from supervision, but I was disciplined enough to have these things in moderation. It's all about education, discipline and responsibility which kids are rarely being taught properly about.
I'm not always keen on blaming parents (especially as I'm not one myself) as it can't be easy for them, but they're meant to be looking after their children during the day. If they can't stop kids from eating unhealthy food during the day then how's it going to help if adverts are stopped? The only advantage I can see is it might stop kids from repeatedly begging their parents for whatever's been advertised on TV that week, but it's still down to the parents to buy healthy food and teach kids to eat responsibly (after all, it's their money).
Either food is healthy or it's unhealthy, and if it's unhealthy it shouldn't be allowed to be sold. Mind you, this is coming from me, who isn't fat but clearly isn't eating healthily.
I thnk you're right though, it's a sign of the times. Kids (in general) are a nightmare, they're selfish, they can't spell, they don't seem to know the difference between right and wrong. I know I never acted like them.
Either food is healthy or it's unhealthy, and if it's unhealthy it shouldn't be allowed to be sold. Mind you, this is coming from me, who isn't fat but clearly isn't eating healthily.
I thnk you're right though, it's a sign of the times. Kids (in general) are a nightmare, they're selfish, they can't spell, they don't seem to know the difference between right and wrong. I know I never acted like them.
You are a saint of course Rob!! I have to confess I am not exactly fond of kids. And I have noticed in recent years that trying to eat healthily is becoming harder and harder. The choice just isnt there anymore and they chuck so much bizarre sfuff into food. You just have to go somewhere different and be prepared to pay more.
Exercise is the big one though. I have been eating all sorts of crap the last two weeks, but because this was to keep me going through my exhausting house move I lost weight not gained it. Got to get back to eating normally when things settle down.
Exercise is the big one though. I have been eating all sorts of crap the last two weeks, but because this was to keep me going through my exhausting house move I lost weight not gained it. Got to get back to eating normally when things settle down.
I think there are general problems with the nation's attitude towards food: the entire western hemisphere, maybe. What chance have children got of learning to eat properly if us adults don't really know what's healthy? How many people out there can tell me what foods are naturally ready for eating at this season?
People should be learning to eat seasonably, and reasonably. More fruit and veg and more exercise (god knows I'm guilty of both of those) but also people need to become more aware of what they're eating, and what is natural to be eating. I think if we develop a good standard, the odd breaking of the rules won't matter as much (and becomes more pleasurable as a unique treat.
I think Jamie Oliver is doing good things with the schoolfood awareness (although the schools have kind of over-reacted or got the wrong end of the stick in some cases) because it's teaching kids about the benefits and negatives of healthy vs. modern eating, and they'll take that home to their parents. It works because it's providing MORE information and better education. Restricting advertising doesn't do that - it just adds a certain form of glamour - we're not supposed to enjoy chocolate, but mum eats it all the time - it must be a grown-up, special luxury, so we'll eat it too...
//Either food is healthy or it's unhealthy//
Strongly Disagree. OK ok, some food is very un-natural, but the body can cope with that in moderation. Anything can be bad for you if your diet's not balanced, and I guess that's what it comes down to - natural and balanced and in combination with plenty of exercise. Plus what's healthy for one person certainly isn't for another - see below.
/if it's unhealthy it shouldn't be allowed to be sold//
I wouldn't trust many people to tell me what food is and isn't healthy. I CERTAINLY don't trust the government to choose what is 'healthy' or 'unhealthy' for me. Even the new 'healthy' school meals stress far too much carbohydrate content (because it's cheap) and place far too much importance in reducing fat - fat you eat isn't what makes people obese, that's carbs for 9 fat people out of 10, a direct consequence of the modern, starchy diet. It's certainly why I'm obese - schools put me on diets that made me put on weight, and I would lose weight in the holidays, and why? Because at home I would eat eggs and bacon and at school it would be lots and lots of fat-free carbs.
People should be learning to eat seasonably, and reasonably. More fruit and veg and more exercise (god knows I'm guilty of both of those) but also people need to become more aware of what they're eating, and what is natural to be eating. I think if we develop a good standard, the odd breaking of the rules won't matter as much (and becomes more pleasurable as a unique treat.
I think Jamie Oliver is doing good things with the schoolfood awareness (although the schools have kind of over-reacted or got the wrong end of the stick in some cases) because it's teaching kids about the benefits and negatives of healthy vs. modern eating, and they'll take that home to their parents. It works because it's providing MORE information and better education. Restricting advertising doesn't do that - it just adds a certain form of glamour - we're not supposed to enjoy chocolate, but mum eats it all the time - it must be a grown-up, special luxury, so we'll eat it too...
//Either food is healthy or it's unhealthy//
Strongly Disagree. OK ok, some food is very un-natural, but the body can cope with that in moderation. Anything can be bad for you if your diet's not balanced, and I guess that's what it comes down to - natural and balanced and in combination with plenty of exercise. Plus what's healthy for one person certainly isn't for another - see below.
/if it's unhealthy it shouldn't be allowed to be sold//
I wouldn't trust many people to tell me what food is and isn't healthy. I CERTAINLY don't trust the government to choose what is 'healthy' or 'unhealthy' for me. Even the new 'healthy' school meals stress far too much carbohydrate content (because it's cheap) and place far too much importance in reducing fat - fat you eat isn't what makes people obese, that's carbs for 9 fat people out of 10, a direct consequence of the modern, starchy diet. It's certainly why I'm obese - schools put me on diets that made me put on weight, and I would lose weight in the holidays, and why? Because at home I would eat eggs and bacon and at school it would be lots and lots of fat-free carbs.
Top US execs have revealed the secret of their success: regular thrashings as children which taught them "important lessons, essential on the road to success".
http://www.theregister.co.uk/2006/10/10/us_execs/
http://www.theregister.co.uk/2006/10/10/us_execs/
You're right that it's about balance and moderation. Perhaps it's something that should be taught at school, seeing as that's where they plan on teaching kids how to have sex and drink (ir)responsively.
A friend of mine is studying nutrition, I'm tempted to do the same as my diet is pretty appalling (and it's almost entirely women that study it). But I do love chocolate. Mmmmmmm.
A friend of mine is studying nutrition, I'm tempted to do the same as my diet is pretty appalling (and it's almost entirely women that study it). But I do love chocolate. Mmmmmmm.
In pizza and pasta loving Italy, 8% are obese. In France it is 9%. Ireland, German and Spain about 12%. Right at the bottom is the UK with 24% of the population clinically obese. We are, officially, the fattest country in Europe.
I love pizza and pasta, maybe that's why I'm skinny. Italian food is great.
I love pizza and pasta, maybe that's why I'm skinny. Italian food is great.
Actually things like pasta and pizza are fairly one dimensional in terms of what they kick into your body. In other words you arent consuming much gunk despite the foods supposedly being fattening. If you want to build yourself up, eat lots of properly cooked meat with lots of veg pretty consistently and you will build up in a healthy way.