Saturday AFL, Sunrise and reality shows including The X Factor, Dancing with the Stars and Junior MasterChef are the worst culprits when it comes to marketing junk food to children.
The Cancer Council NSW and sustainability advertising agency Republic of Everyone have created a website, Fat Free TV, listing which television shows contain more junk food ads directed at children on a scale of 0 to 5. The site ranks shows based on how much junk food is advertised per episode.
In addition to the shows listed above, other programs to score the top or “fattiest” marks are Channel 9's Saturday family movies, The Simpsons and Channel 10's Saturday family movies.
Cancer Council NSW nutrition manager, Clare Hughes, said: “Obesity is one of the biggest health problems facing Australia and the situation is being worsened by the high amount of junk food ads aimed at children on television.
“The Fat Free TV Guide clearly shows that junk food companies are choosing to advertise their unhealthy products during programs that are popular with children and families.”
“Parents have the biggest role to play in encouraging their children to eat healthily but they have a tough job battling the multi-million dollar food and advertising industries. Until we get tougher regulation, Fat Free TV gives parents the power to make healthier choices about what their children watch, allowing them to minimise their exposure to junk food advertising.”
Republic of Everyone co-founder, Ben Peacock, said: “Junk food brands and ad agencies are constantly telling us TV ads don't make kids eat more junk food. Why do they spend so much money on them then?”
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