Media release

What is Happening Just Outside the School Gates?

Agencies for Nutrition Action (ANA) welcomes the release of new research carried out by the Wellington Medical School looking at the school environs and food advertising.

Some research has previously been carried out looking at what happens within the school environment but this is the first New Zealand research that looks at food advertising outside the school grounds.

ANA is concerned that the research found 70% of advertising in 1km of the schools promotes “unhealthy foods’. This is yet another example of the promotion of predominately unhealthy food messages to children that are inconsistent with healthy eating.

Nicola Chilcott, Executive Officer for ANA says “we know it is going to take a multitude of strategies to stem the tide of increasing obesity but we do know that the environment can have a detrimental effect on health. Focusing on changing the environment is thought to be one of the most promising strategies for supporting healthy eating and preventing obesity.”

“This research is useful to help build a true picture of what is happening in our environment. It provides evidence that will help those of us who are working in the prevention of obesity to advocate for changes to the environment to support healthy eating.

ENDS

Agencies for Nutrition Action is a coalition group of nutrition and physical activity organizations including the Cancer Society, the National Heart Foundation of NZ, Diabetes NZ, NZ Dietetic Association, Te Hotu Manawa Maori, Pacific Island Food and Nutrition Action Group, NZ Recreation Association and Home Economic and Technology Teachers Assoc, NZ. The Ministry of Health and Sport and Recreation NZ (SPARC) are observer members.

Agencies for Nutrition Action mission is to to support New Zealanders to achieve and maintain a healthy weight throughout life, through good nutrition and physical activity.

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