Blatant and unwholesome food marketing is on the rise, and this is certainly bad prognosis for child obesity. It is evident that food marketing impacts a child’s choice of food, also establishing dietary pattern and food habits that can last a lifetime.
The National Heart Alliance (NHA) and the Irish heart Foundation (IHF), have conducted enough research on children, to gauge the impact of food advertisements on dietary choice. They have petitioned the government for immediate remedy, as the rates of obesity in Europe is at an all time high.The government could consider few pointers to remedy this situation. Firstly it would help in establishing stringent control that will not permit the telecast of negative-impact food advertisements. Health food education and increased budget in schools for sports equipment may actually help in reversing the unhealthy trend.
Chairman of the NHA, David Kennedy said, “In implementing the smoking ban, Ireland showed that it can be courageous and take an international lead to implement good health promoting policy. There is an opportunity for the Government to again show leadership in tackling obesity. This is just part of the overall solution on obesity, but each recommendation is readily achievable."
