There is a growing body of evidence to show that UK children
are suffering the effects of a diet of poor quality food loaded
with fat, salt and sugar. Some of the more serious outcomes are
obesity, early onset diabetes and, in later life, diet-related
heart disease and diet-related cancers.
The Food Commission is appalled to hear that GMTV has accepted
a sponsorship deal with McDonald's to the tune of £1 million
for its cartoon slot on Saturday and Sunday mornings. GMTV is
helping to target junk food at three to eight-year-old children,
who already eat too much fat, salt and sugar.
A child in the age range that GMTV's Diggit programme is aimed
at (3 to 8-year-olds), eating a McDonald's birthday party meal,
choosing one cheeseburger, regular French fries (with tomato
ketchup), a regular Coke and a slice of birthday cake would consume
889 kcalories; 81g of sugars; 27.7g of fat (of which 11.5g saturated
fat) and 1.6g of sodium (equivalent to 4g of salt).
For a child aged 4 to 6, this would be 60% of the maximum
total recommended daily intake of saturated fat; 79% more sugar
than the maximum total recommended daily intake; and 128% more
salt than the dietary reference value established by the government's
Committee on Medical Aspects of Food Policy (COMA).
For a child aged 7 to 10, this would be 53% of the maximum
total recommended daily intake of saturated fat; 58% more sugar
than the maximum total recommended daily intake; and 33% more
salt than the dietary reference value established by COMA.
Recognising the effects of a bad diet on the health of the
nation's children, over 70 organisations have signed up in support
of a call for a ban on the advertising of fatty, salty and sugary
foods during children's TV viewing time (see: www.sustainweb.org/labell_index.shtm).
The Food Commission calls upon GMTV to take more responsibility
for its effect upon children's diets and health by pulling out
of this sponsorship deal with McDonald's, and by refusing to
promote fatty, salty and sugary foods during children's television
viewing time. Currently, these foods dominate the children's
ad breaks.
For further information
The Food Commission has launched a Parents Jury to let parents
have their say about foods and drinks marketed to children. If
you are a mum or dad with a child or children between 2 and 16
years old, get in touch and we'll send you more information.
Write to: The Food Commission, 94 White Lion Street, London
N1 9PF. Email: parentsjury@foodcomm.org.uk
Source: http://www.foodcomm.org.uk/ |