Brisbane

Issue addressed: The variation in food advertising legislation and guidelines between various countries, and how these policies relate to obesity levels of children in those countries. Method: A review of legislation and regulatory measures for food advertising during children’s television viewing times compared to childhood obesity across countries that are part of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). Results: Four different types of food advertising restrictions emerged. These ranged from a total ban of food advertising to children; restrictions on the type of food advertised; restrictions on the number of advertisements; and designating specific time slots where food advertisements could be aired. Conclusion: Children in Australia require better protection from television advertisements for energy-dense and low-nutrient foods. There is a need for several other industrialised nations to rethink their position in relation to food advertisements that are targeted to children and embrace the World Health Organisation’s recommended guidelines. While policies on food advertisements exist in different countries, many government policies are not strong enough to promote positiv