Public Health in Oregon - Join The Conversation

maybe the current “Raise your hand for chocolate milk” campaign will be balanced out by the Nutrition Council of Oregon’s new anti-junk food ad campaign.

i hope the Council plans to study the impact of their campaign so there is proof of it’s usefulness and funders will further support such efforts.

McDonald’s knows better how to market to kids than public health.  The question that comes up for me is:  how or what can we learn from them?  They’ve got our target market.

the disparity between what the food industry has to spend on marketing and what public health related agencies have to spend on the same has become dangerous.  that $11 billion the food industry spends has become their weapon of choice in a deadly game for which we are currently ill-equipped.  but it doesn’t have to be that way.

i am a very reasonable person, but i don’t want to be a victim anymore.  of course, i can limit the amount of tv ads my children see and/or educate them about what ads are really about (if you ask, my children will tell you that commercials are basically lies).  but let’s face it, that will only get me and them so far.  so what else can i DO?

i can engage my legislators in a conversation (letter writing, phone calls) about what i think is imporatnt (please put limits on how the food industry can market to my children).  i can also vote with my pocketbook.

what else can we do???

One of the most insidious results of advertising on both the public health and the cost of health care for all americans, is the direct advertising of pharmaceuticals to the consumer.  Since this law was passed by a republican congress in the late 90’s the use of the advertised drugs has increased hugely, and the damage done by the inappropriate use of drugs too often insufficiently tested for safety is among the sad consequences.  I would hope that the Obama administration and the new Congress would act quickly to reverse this law.  It is not about free speech.  It is about expensive deceit.

I wonder if giving less of a tax break for junk food advertising $$ spent would work?  you know… only allow companies to write off 80% of the $$ they spend on advertising that negatively impacts our kids?  would be tough because it would be subjective.

and I fully agree!  no junk food ads in schools!

I agree that parents should teach their children how to eat well.  But, we parents are not the only influence on our kids!

Reducing junk food marketing will lead to better eating habits.  Let’s help all kids and tackle this issue together.  Maybe the first step is getting junk food marketing out of our schools.

Any other ideas for reducing junk food marketing?

As with any “good vs evil” discussion, parents have the responsibility of explaining the details to their children.  McDonald’s, Coco Puffs, candy bars and soda are “sometimes” food.  fresh produce, whole grains and most fish are “every day” foods.  why?  because I want you to grow up strong and healthy and live to be as old as Granny.  “But she eats lots of butter on her bread!”  yes, honey and she grew up eating home cooked, mostly organic meals, not processed, or fast foods.

Did I whine when my mom sent me to school w/ whole grain, homemade bread sandwich when all the other kids were eating Wonder bread?  sure.  am I thankful to them now?  YES!!!

And yes, a lot of $$ is spent on advertising these unhealthy foods, but they aren’t twisting my arm forcing me to buy, or consume it.  The responsibility is ours, individually.  and ours alone.  Teaching our kids the difference between what’s good for our bodies and what is not will go a whole lot further than any media/marketing $$.  IMHO.

I think that the comparison of the billboards is very instructive.  Obviously, McDonald’s knows better how to market to kids than public health.  The question that comes up for me is:  how or what can we learn from them?  They’ve got our target market figured out!

I’d love some clarification on this interesting statistic:  if ‘the food industry’ means the entire US, does the ‘Public health and other agencies’ also include all such agencies in the US? 
Thanks.