In a world where childhood obesity is a growing concern, a recent study has revealed a disturbing trend in Australia.

Children are being subjected to aggressive marketing tactics promoting foods that are considered too unhealthy for young people in many other countries.

This alarming revelation calls for a serious re-evaluation of our food marketing regulations and a stronger commitment to safeguarding the health of our future generations.

The study, led by researchers at the George Institute for Global Health and published in Public Health Nutrition, has shown a direct correlation between packaged foods with low nutritional value and high use of marketing directed at children.

A study revealed that children are being subjected to aggressive marketing tactics promoting unhealthy foods. Credit: Lisa Fotios/Pexels

The findings are startling: over 95 per cent of these foods, which employ techniques directly marketed to children in Australia, would be banned in Mexico due to their unhealthy nature.

In 2020, Mexico mandated warning labels for food products exceeding energy, salt, fat, and sugar thresholds.

Foods carrying any warning label cannot be marketed to children on the packaging or other media advertising.

This progressive move has been hailed as a significant step towards combating childhood obesity and promoting healthier eating habits among young people.

In stark contrast, Australia's food marketing regulations only offer voluntary guidelines and do not include any restrictions on supermarkets regarding the use of characters and celebrities, graphics, giveaways, and competitions on packaging that appeal to children.

This lack of regulation allows the food industry to exploit children's emotional connection with characters and their biological preference for sweet and salty foods, leading to unhealthy eating habits.

Professor Simone Pettigrew, a senior author of the study, warned that this unregulated marketing directed at children, combined with the food industry's exploitation of kids’ 'pester power', is a public health disaster in the making.

'Pester power' refers to children's influence on their parents' purchasing decisions, particularly in supermarkets.

The study also highlighted that the unprecedented availability and aggressive marketing of ultra-processed, packaged foods and beverages is a key driver of childhood obesity.

With approximately one in four Australian children and adolescents affected by overweight and obesity, this is a pressing issue that demands immediate attention.

The researchers analysed over 8,000 products across eight categories selected because they had more child-directed promotions on their packaging. These included Nestle Milo Duo, Nutri-Grain cereal, Bega Stringers cheese sticks, Haribo Starmix and Doritos corn chips.

The study found that more than one in ten (11.3 per cent) products displayed at least one marketing technique directed at children. The most common technique used was personified characters, followed by references to childhood life, such as 'fun' and the depiction of playground equipment.

​

The healthiness of products using child-directed marketing was assessed using four measures—the Australian Health Star Rating system, the NOVA classification system for degree of processing, the World Health Organisation’s nutrient profiling model for the Western Pacific Region and the Mexican nutrient profiling model.

Products using child-directed promotional techniques received poor scores on all four indicators.

If Australia adopted similar legislation to Mexico, 95.5 per cent of products would have to remove their current child-directed marketing elements.

While Australia has a health star rating system rather than warning labels like Mexico, the same principle could be applied: 'You set a threshold, and you say these foods are not healthy enough to be marketed to children,' suggested Professor Pettigrew.

Terry Slevin, the Chief Executive of the Public Health Association of Australia, echoed this sentiment, stating that Australia needs to follow the lead of other countries regulating against unhealthy foods being marketed to children.

He believed that regulation was the only way to stop this harmful practice.

‘This research points to the tricks [the] industry uses, particularly to kids. It sets them on the wrong path nutritionally, contributing to rates of overweight and obesity, as well as contributing to a tsunami of chronic diseases we see in our hospitals,’ he explained.

Independent MP for Mackellar, Sophie Scamps, a former GP, introduced the Healthy Kids Advertising Bill 2023 to parliament in June to protect children from junk food marketing.

'The George Institute’s latest research is further evidence that food companies are deliberately targeting children in their marketing of unhealthy foods,' Ms Scamps pointed out.

‘It’s time government stepped in … to create an environment for our children to thrive in, not one where they are preyed upon for profit and paying for it with their health,’ she added.

Key Takeaways

• Australian children are being exposed to aggressive marketing of unhealthy food, which would be banned in many other countries, according to a new study by the George Institute for Global Health.
  
• The study revealed that over 95 per cent of foods directly marketed to children in Australia would be banned in Mexico, which has strict food product warning labels.
  
• Australia's food marketing regulations are voluntary, with no restrictions on supermarkets such as using appealing techniques to promote unhealthy food to children.
  
• Independent MP for Mackellar, Sophie Scamps, a former GP, introduced the Healthy Kids Advertising Bill 2023 to parliament in June to protect children from junk food marketing.
  

What are your thoughts on this issue, members? Have you noticed these marketing tactics? How do you promote healthy eating habits in your grandchildren? Share your thoughts and experiences in the comments below.

 

[gamiry]

In a world where childhood obesity is a growing concern, a recent study has revealed a disturbing trend in Australia.

Children are being subjected to aggressive marketing tactics promoting foods that are considered too unhealthy for young people in many other countries.

This alarming revelation calls for a serious re-evaluation of our food marketing regulations and a stronger commitment to safeguarding the health of our future generations.

The study, led by researchers at the George Institute for Global Health and published in Public Health Nutrition, has shown a direct correlation between packaged foods with low nutritional value and high use of marketing directed at children.

View attachment 34813

A study revealed that children are being subjected to aggressive marketing tactics promoting unhealthy foods. Credit: Lisa Fotios/Pexels

The findings are startling: over 95 per cent of these foods, which employ techniques directly marketed to children in Australia, would be banned in Mexico due to their unhealthy nature.

In 2020, Mexico mandated warning labels for food products exceeding energy, salt, fat, and sugar thresholds.

Foods carrying any warning label cannot be marketed to children on the packaging or other media advertising.

This progressive move has been hailed as a significant step towards combating childhood obesity and promoting healthier eating habits among young people.

In stark contrast, Australia's food marketing regulations only offer voluntary guidelines and do not include any restrictions on supermarkets regarding the use of characters and celebrities, graphics, giveaways, and competitions on packaging that appeal to children.

This lack of regulation allows the food industry to exploit children's emotional connection with characters and their biological preference for sweet and salty foods, leading to unhealthy eating habits.

Professor Simone Pettigrew, a senior author of the study, warned that this unregulated marketing directed at children, combined with the food industry's exploitation of kids’ 'pester power', is a public health disaster in the making.

'Pester power' refers to children's influence on their parents' purchasing decisions, particularly in supermarkets.

The study also highlighted that the unprecedented availability and aggressive marketing of ultra-processed, packaged foods and beverages is a key driver of childhood obesity.

With approximately one in four Australian children and adolescents affected by overweight and obesity, this is a pressing issue that demands immediate attention.

The researchers analysed over 8,000 products across eight categories selected because they had more child-directed promotions on their packaging. These included Nestle Milo Duo, Nutri-Grain cereal, Bega Stringers cheese sticks, Haribo Starmix and Doritos corn chips.

The study found that more than one in ten (11.3 per cent) products displayed at least one marketing technique directed at children. The most common technique used was personified characters, followed by references to childhood life, such as 'fun' and the depiction of playground equipment.

View attachment 34814​

The healthiness of products using child-directed marketing was assessed using four measures—the Australian Health Star Rating system, the NOVA classification system for degree of processing, the World Health Organisation’s nutrient profiling model for the Western Pacific Region and the Mexican nutrient profiling model.

Products using child-directed promotional techniques received poor scores on all four indicators.

If Australia adopted similar legislation to Mexico, 95.5 per cent of products would have to remove their current child-directed marketing elements.

While Australia has a health star rating system rather than warning labels like Mexico, the same principle could be applied: 'You set a threshold, and you say these foods are not healthy enough to be marketed to children,' suggested Professor Pettigrew.

Terry Slevin, the Chief Executive of the Public Health Association of Australia, echoed this sentiment, stating that Australia needs to follow the lead of other countries regulating against unhealthy foods being marketed to children.

He believed that regulation was the only way to stop this harmful practice.

‘This research points to the tricks [the] industry uses, particularly to kids. It sets them on the wrong path nutritionally, contributing to rates of overweight and obesity, as well as contributing to a tsunami of chronic diseases we see in our hospitals,’ he explained.

Independent MP for Mackellar, Sophie Scamps, a former GP, introduced the Healthy Kids Advertising Bill 2023 to parliament in June to protect children from junk food marketing.

'The George Institute’s latest research is further evidence that food companies are deliberately targeting children in their marketing of unhealthy foods,' Ms Scamps pointed out.

‘It’s time government stepped in … to create an environment for our children to thrive in, not one where they are preyed upon for profit and paying for it with their health,’ she added.

Key Takeaways

• Australian children are being exposed to aggressive marketing of unhealthy food, which would be banned in many other countries, according to a new study by the George Institute for Global Health.
• The study revealed that over 95 per cent of foods directly marketed to children in Australia would be banned in Mexico, which has strict food product warning labels.
• Australia's food marketing regulations are voluntary, with no restrictions on supermarkets such as using appealing techniques to promote unhealthy food to children.
• Independent MP for Mackellar, Sophie Scamps, a former GP, introduced the Healthy Kids Advertising Bill 2023 to parliament in June to protect children from junk food marketing.

I eat

What are your thoughts on this issue, members? Have you noticed these marketing tactics? How do you promote healthy eating habits in your grandchildren? Share your thoughts and experiences in the comments below.

Key Takeaways

don't these educated eggheads have anything better to do in life. There must be thousands of them studying the same crap. I eat as I was brought up by my Mum and Nan and don't want to be told how to feed myself. How did I live so long?

 

[Col@45]

In a world where childhood obesity is a growing concern, a recent study has revealed a disturbing trend in Australia.

Children are being subjected to aggressive marketing tactics promoting foods that are considered too unhealthy for young people in many other countries.

This alarming revelation calls for a serious re-evaluation of our food marketing regulations and a stronger commitment to safeguarding the health of our future generations.

The study, led by researchers at the George Institute for Global Health and published in Public Health Nutrition, has shown a direct correlation between packaged foods with low nutritional value and high use of marketing directed at children.

View attachment 34813

A study revealed that children are being subjected to aggressive marketing tactics promoting unhealthy foods. Credit: Lisa Fotios/Pexels

The findings are startling: over 95 per cent of these foods, which employ techniques directly marketed to children in Australia, would be banned in Mexico due to their unhealthy nature.

In 2020, Mexico mandated warning labels for food products exceeding energy, salt, fat, and sugar thresholds.

Foods carrying any warning label cannot be marketed to children on the packaging or other media advertising.

This progressive move has been hailed as a significant step towards combating childhood obesity and promoting healthier eating habits among young people.

In stark contrast, Australia's food marketing regulations only offer voluntary guidelines and do not include any restrictions on supermarkets regarding the use of characters and celebrities, graphics, giveaways, and competitions on packaging that appeal to children.

This lack of regulation allows the food industry to exploit children's emotional connection with characters and their biological preference for sweet and salty foods, leading to unhealthy eating habits.

Professor Simone Pettigrew, a senior author of the study, warned that this unregulated marketing directed at children, combined with the food industry's exploitation of kids’ 'pester power', is a public health disaster in the making.

'Pester power' refers to children's influence on their parents' purchasing decisions, particularly in supermarkets.

The study also highlighted that the unprecedented availability and aggressive marketing of ultra-processed, packaged foods and beverages is a key driver of childhood obesity.

With approximately one in four Australian children and adolescents affected by overweight and obesity, this is a pressing issue that demands immediate attention.

The researchers analysed over 8,000 products across eight categories selected because they had more child-directed promotions on their packaging. These included Nestle Milo Duo, Nutri-Grain cereal, Bega Stringers cheese sticks, Haribo Starmix and Doritos corn chips.

The study found that more than one in ten (11.3 per cent) products displayed at least one marketing technique directed at children. The most common technique used was personified characters, followed by references to childhood life, such as 'fun' and the depiction of playground equipment.

View attachment 34814​

The healthiness of products using child-directed marketing was assessed using four measures—the Australian Health Star Rating system, the NOVA classification system for degree of processing, the World Health Organisation’s nutrient profiling model for the Western Pacific Region and the Mexican nutrient profiling model.

Products using child-directed promotional techniques received poor scores on all four indicators.

If Australia adopted similar legislation to Mexico, 95.5 per cent of products would have to remove their current child-directed marketing elements.

While Australia has a health star rating system rather than warning labels like Mexico, the same principle could be applied: 'You set a threshold, and you say these foods are not healthy enough to be marketed to children,' suggested Professor Pettigrew.

Terry Slevin, the Chief Executive of the Public Health Association of Australia, echoed this sentiment, stating that Australia needs to follow the lead of other countries regulating against unhealthy foods being marketed to children.

He believed that regulation was the only way to stop this harmful practice.

‘This research points to the tricks [the] industry uses, particularly to kids. It sets them on the wrong path nutritionally, contributing to rates of overweight and obesity, as well as contributing to a tsunami of chronic diseases we see in our hospitals,’ he explained.

Independent MP for Mackellar, Sophie Scamps, a former GP, introduced the Healthy Kids Advertising Bill 2023 to parliament in June to protect children from junk food marketing.

'The George Institute’s latest research is further evidence that food companies are deliberately targeting children in their marketing of unhealthy foods,' Ms Scamps pointed out.

‘It’s time government stepped in … to create an environment for our children to thrive in, not one where they are preyed upon for profit and paying for it with their health,’ she added.

Key Takeaways

• Australian children are being exposed to aggressive marketing of unhealthy food, which would be banned in many other countries, according to a new study by the George Institute for Global Health.
• The study revealed that over 95 per cent of foods directly marketed to children in Australia would be banned in Mexico, which has strict food product warning labels.
• Australia's food marketing regulations are voluntary, with no restrictions on supermarkets such as using appealing techniques to promote unhealthy food to children.
• Independent MP for Mackellar, Sophie Scamps, a former GP, introduced the Healthy Kids Advertising Bill 2023 to parliament in June to protect children from junk food marketing.

⁸

What are your thoughts on this issue, members? Have you noticed these marketing tactics? How do you promote healthy eating habits in your grandchildren? Share your thoughts and experiences in the comments below.

Parents need to go back to the food we ate in the 50's....never saw overweight kids then. As well as eating healthy food, kids went outside and played, something you rarely see these days, as most of the time they're on laptops or phones.....whilst eating junk food.

 

[gamiry]

Parents need to go back to the food we ate in the 50's....never saw overweight kids then. As well as eating healthy food, kids went outside and played, something you rarely see these days, as most of the time they're on laptops or phones.....whilst eating junk food.

you are so very right Col. Thought.. I still weigh the same as probably since I was last pregnant, 1967. I'm only 62.1ks as of 5am today. Cooking shows make me mad with all the garbage they put into food. I won't watch them.

 

[Clancieblue]

I beg to differ. I grew up in the 50's, Mum was a good home cook. I have 3 brothers and we all ate the same thing. I had a weight problem, they did not. The difference was they were allowed to play sport and I wasn't. Being the girl, I was expected to help my mother.
Funny thing is all the advertising in the world won't make the children fat it's the lazy parents buying the wrong food.

 

[PattiB]

most of us had the Advantage of growing up without television or McDonalds etc so we ate whatever we were given & were sent outside to play unless it was raining. It isn’t just children who are influenced by advertising, a lot of adults are exactly the same, always on shopping channels & online gambling sites etc. and we won’t mention those ridiculous “influencers”. I think that like me, most of you aren’t worried by advertising & only buy what we need but a lot of children don’t have parents with the time to have discussions with them about the power of adverts hence they’re always at take away shops or attached to electronic devices.

 

[PattiB]

I beg to differ. I grew up in the 50's, Mum was a good home cook. I have 3 brothers and we all ate the same thing. I had a weight problem, they did not. The difference was they were allowed to play sport and I wasn't. Being the girl, I was expected to help my mother.
Funny thing is all the advertising in the world won't make the children fat it's the lazy parents buying the wrong food.

You are right Clancieblue. I can remember a few plump children when I started school back in the 50’s. I was always a skinny little thing so I think a lot has to do with genetics as well as food intake. A lot of it comes back to what parents feed them & a lot of people seem to survive on take away food. I’m heartened that my young neighbour who has 3 small children cooks everything from scratch.

 

[Clancieblue]

You are right Clancieblue. I can remember a few plump children when I started school back in the 50’s. I was always a skinny little thing so I think a lot has to do with genetics as well as food intake. A lot of it comes back to what parents feed them & a lot of people seem to survive on take away food. I’m heartened that my young neighbour who has 3 small children cooks everything from scratch.

 

[gamiry]

most of us had the Advantage of growing up without television or McDonalds etc so we ate whatever we were given & were sent outside to play unless it was raining. It isn’t just children who are influenced by advertising, a lot of adults are exactly the same, always on shopping channels & online gambling sites etc. and we won’t mention those ridiculous “influencers”. I think that like me, most of you aren’t worried by advertising & only buy what we need but a lot of children don’t have parents with the time to have discussions with them about the power of adverts hence they’re always at take away shops or attached to electronic devices.

please, what the hell is an influencer? Some people need to get a life. I was left with 3 sick kids (10 months, 22 months and 5 years) in the 1960s. No pension, worked 3 jobs, ate their scraps. Even today I won't watch those channels. When will people grow some brains? The governments over the years have created a welfare dependant society where everything is expected to be given on a plate. A couple of weeks ago I read about a woman who raised heaps in go-fund-me for a holiday. I had one holiday in 1962 and another in 2009. My kids got what I could afford and I ate their scraps. When are people going to get some guts and sense?

 

[mOiOz]

I beg to differ. I grew up in the 50's, Mum was a good home cook. I have 3 brothers and we all ate the same thing. I had a weight problem, they did not. The difference was they were allowed to play sport and I wasn't. Being the girl, I was expected to help my mother.
Funny thing is all the advertising in the world won't make the children fat it's the lazy parents buying the wrong food.

So true, it's the parents who fall for the ads, not the kids. After all, who is watching the ads and paying for the food?
PS: Who the hell thinks Nutella on bread is a good breakfast?

 

[DrivingGirl]

I beg to differ. I grew up in the 50's, Mum was a good home cook. I have 3 brothers and we all ate the same thing. I had a weight problem, they did not. The difference was they were allowed to play sport and I wasn't. Being the girl, I was expected to help my mother.
Funny thing is all the advertising in the world won't make the children fat it's the lazy parents buying the wrong food.

I hear what you say Clancieblue, but I also hear the manipulative whining and carrying on that mothers have to go through in the supermarket!
It starts and ends with gentle discipline and a sense of self worth. Self discipline on the parents side teaches it to the little ones!

 

[Jarred Santos]

please, what the hell is an influencer?

This is something that comes across my mind often nowadays

 

[Bridgit]

So true, it's the parents who fall for the ads, not the kids. After all, who is watching the ads and paying for the food?
PS: Who the hell thinks Nutella on bread is a good breakfast?

Yes I always say "what a waste of perfectly delicious hazelnuts" when I see that ad - eat them not spread them.

 

[maxesmum]

Omigosh! Influencers! I hate the word and the stupidity behind the whole concept! As for fast food,it’s convenient and is a treat,maybe once a week or so. As kids we had a fish and chip night which we looked forward to so much! Other than that,we ate what mummcooked and played out doors and actually talked to each other! It’s a whole new world out there now.

 

[gamiry]

I hear what you say Clancieblue, but I also hear the manipulative whining and carrying on that mothers have to go through in the supermarket!
It starts and ends with gentle discipline and a sense of self worth. Self discipline on the parents side teaches it to the little ones!

what's wrong with the word NO without giving in.

 

[Penny4]

I think the Govt needs to overhaul food manufacturers of today. Many foods are full of preservative numbers and emulsifiers due to being ultra processed. Lots of people want convenience, instead of cooking and baking.

 

[MariaG]

Totally agree. It is all about the parents.
Only today, hubby and I were in a Sushi cafe for lunch. (was very nice by the way).
I like to people watch when in places like that. In the space of 5 minutes I saw a mum say no to Red Bull and buying one bottle of water for the kids to share.
Then there was a dad with a baby in his arms and a youngster by his side. Older child asked what he was allowed to drink and was happy to pick a juice for himself. Baby was being fed the rice from around dad's sushi and looked to be very happy with that.
Must say. A lot of the younger parents I witnessed today are trending away from what we call junk food and going for the better style of eating.
No matter what the basis of our eating habits are, as adults we have the power of choice. Life does not have to be one long string of denying ourselves. Just moderation in our choices.

 

[Tygie]

In a world where childhood obesity is a growing concern, a recent study has revealed a disturbing trend in Australia.

Children are being subjected to aggressive marketing tactics promoting foods that are considered too unhealthy for young people in many other countries.

This alarming revelation calls for a serious re-evaluation of our food marketing regulations and a stronger commitment to safeguarding the health of our future generations.

The study, led by researchers at the George Institute for Global Health and published in Public Health Nutrition, has shown a direct correlation between packaged foods with low nutritional value and high use of marketing directed at children.

View attachment 34813

A study revealed that children are being subjected to aggressive marketing tactics promoting unhealthy foods. Credit: Lisa Fotios/Pexels

The findings are startling: over 95 per cent of these foods, which employ techniques directly marketed to children in Australia, would be banned in Mexico due to their unhealthy nature.

In 2020, Mexico mandated warning labels for food products exceeding energy, salt, fat, and sugar thresholds.

Foods carrying any warning label cannot be marketed to children on the packaging or other media advertising.

This progressive move has been hailed as a significant step towards combating childhood obesity and promoting healthier eating habits among young people.

In stark contrast, Australia's food marketing regulations only offer voluntary guidelines and do not include any restrictions on supermarkets regarding the use of characters and celebrities, graphics, giveaways, and competitions on packaging that appeal to children.

This lack of regulation allows the food industry to exploit children's emotional connection with characters and their biological preference for sweet and salty foods, leading to unhealthy eating habits.

Professor Simone Pettigrew, a senior author of the study, warned that this unregulated marketing directed at children, combined with the food industry's exploitation of kids’ 'pester power', is a public health disaster in the making.

'Pester power' refers to children's influence on their parents' purchasing decisions, particularly in supermarkets.

The study also highlighted that the unprecedented availability and aggressive marketing of ultra-processed, packaged foods and beverages is a key driver of childhood obesity.

With approximately one in four Australian children and adolescents affected by overweight and obesity, this is a pressing issue that demands immediate attention.

The researchers analysed over 8,000 products across eight categories selected because they had more child-directed promotions on their packaging. These included Nestle Milo Duo, Nutri-Grain cereal, Bega Stringers cheese sticks, Haribo Starmix and Doritos corn chips.

The study found that more than one in ten (11.3 per cent) products displayed at least one marketing technique directed at children. The most common technique used was personified characters, followed by references to childhood life, such as 'fun' and the depiction of playground equipment.

View attachment 34814​

The healthiness of products using child-directed marketing was assessed using four measures—the Australian Health Star Rating system, the NOVA classification system for degree of processing, the World Health Organisation’s nutrient profiling model for the Western Pacific Region and the Mexican nutrient profiling model.

Products using child-directed promotional techniques received poor scores on all four indicators.

If Australia adopted similar legislation to Mexico, 95.5 per cent of products would have to remove their current child-directed marketing elements.

While Australia has a health star rating system rather than warning labels like Mexico, the same principle could be applied: 'You set a threshold, and you say these foods are not healthy enough to be marketed to children,' suggested Professor Pettigrew.

Terry Slevin, the Chief Executive of the Public Health Association of Australia, echoed this sentiment, stating that Australia needs to follow the lead of other countries regulating against unhealthy foods being marketed to children.

He believed that regulation was the only way to stop this harmful practice.

‘This research points to the tricks [the] industry uses, particularly to kids. It sets them on the wrong path nutritionally, contributing to rates of overweight and obesity, as well as contributing to a tsunami of chronic diseases we see in our hospitals,’ he explained.

Independent MP for Mackellar, Sophie Scamps, a former GP, introduced the Healthy Kids Advertising Bill 2023 to parliament in June to protect children from junk food marketing.

'The George Institute’s latest research is further evidence that food companies are deliberately targeting children in their marketing of unhealthy foods,' Ms Scamps pointed out.

‘It’s time government stepped in … to create an environment for our children to thrive in, not one where they are preyed upon for profit and paying for it with their health,’ she added.

Key Takeaways

• Australian children are being exposed to aggressive marketing of unhealthy food, which would be banned in many other countries, according to a new study by the George Institute for Global Health.
• The study revealed that over 95 per cent of foods directly marketed to children in Australia would be banned in Mexico, which has strict food product warning labels.
• Australia's food marketing regulations are voluntary, with no restrictions on supermarkets such as using appealing techniques to promote unhealthy food to children.
• Independent MP for Mackellar, Sophie Scamps, a former GP, introduced the Healthy Kids Advertising Bill 2023 to parliament in June to protect children from junk food marketing.

What are your thoughts on this issue, members? Have you noticed these marketing tactics? How do you promote healthy eating habits in your grandchildren? Share your thoughts and experiences in the comments below.

 

[gamiry]

Omigosh! Influencers! I hate the word and the stupidity behind the whole concept! As for fast food,it’s convenient and is a treat,maybe once a week or so. As kids we had a fish and chip night which we looked forward to so much! Other than that,we ate what mummcooked and played out doors and actually talked to each other! It’s a whole new world out there now.

we didn't even get the take away fish and chips. My father went fishing on the Hawkesbury River every Friday night and, of course, Mum cooked the fish and chips. End of take aways for us.

 

[Tygie]

Well if the parents didn't buy it the kids wouldn't be able to eat it.
Besides Haribou is disgusting greasy flavourless rubbery crap & nutrigrain is cardboard besser blocks (cinder blocks). Milo has never been the same for nearly 30 years.
The gov should BUTT out of what people eat and fix the country. The parents should stop being so wimpy and put their foot down and tell the kids NO.
Mum used to tell us kids NO all the time and it never hurt us, we might have been in a grump for a while but we got over that. Besides if we did go shopping with her then we knew to behave or any toy or treat we wanted or she had already got us was not gonna be ours by the end of the trip and all we would get was our lunch and in trouble. But if we were good and it didn't cost much we got something plus she would buy lollies and chips for other days as treats - which she handed out to us. Also we had a strawberry patch and a mulberry tree in the backyard which would get hit when we were out there and got a bit hungry. As for my brother he also took to eating the flowers from the orchids she grew too. We could eat as much of the fruit as we wanted but the flowers were not supposed to be eaten so my brother got in trouble a lot for that.