24 November, 2011

Parents have their say!

With just a few days left until the country goes to the polls to elect a government, members of Parents Voice have called on voters to look closely at party policies on food – especially when it comes to children.

Parents Voice is calling for control on advertising of junk foods to children based on a 100% response rate to questions in a web-based survey. Parents Voice asked how the government should encourage healthy eating.

In response to the question ‘would you like the government to control the advertising of junk foods to children?’ the response was 100%.

Another question to get the one hundred per cent vote was the idea that the government should legislate to require food labels to clearly show which foods are healthy and which are not. “I think this has a lot to do with the fact that food labels can be confusing at the best of times,” said Sophie Jerram, a Wellington-based parent.

Nearly 67 per cent of respondents said they found food labels hard to read. Those who took part in the survey were also adamant (96%) that the legislation requiring schools to provide only healthy food, should be reintroduced.

“I hope that come Election Day, parents and all those who care about children will vote for those who will advocate for them in the future and consider the policies of all parties on healthy labelling” says Ms Jerram.

Parents Voice is an online community of parents, whanau and caregivers that want to improve the things that influence what children eat and how active they are. Their aim is to make it easier for children to eat well and be physically active in New Zealand.

To see the results of the complete survey: http://www.parentsvoice.org.nz/

About Parents Voice

Parents Voice is an online community of parents, whanau and caregivers that want to improve the things that influence what children eat and how active they are. Their aim is to make it easier for children to eat well and be physically active in New Zealand.

We share ideas and campaign on issues such as:

• Healthy eating for young children
• Reducing unhealthy food marketing targeted at young children
• Healthy food in schools
• Making neighbourhoods safer and more child-friendly.
• Addressing the issue of the cost and access to health food

Our website has information to help members and interested parents whanau and caregivers become champions for children’s health and to campaign for better food and physical activity in their community.

We run regular surveys to gain information on the opinion of members on relevant topics.

The most recent survey asked members their opinions about how an incoming Government should encourage healthy eating. Twenty seven members responded to the survey.

Parents Voice is supported by:
The Cancer Society of New Zealand, Te Hotu Manawa Maori and Fight Obesity Epidemic. Funding for Parents Voice came from the Obesity Action Coalition.

For more information visit www.parentsvoice.org.nz

ENDS

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