Australian Medical Association

A new study provides clear evidence of the health benefits of banning TV junk food advertising aimed at children, AMA President, Dr Andrew Pesce, said today.

Research conducted by Professor Boyd Swinburn and his colleagues at the World Health Organisation Collaborating Centre in Obesity Prevention at Deakin University found banning junk food ads aimed at children would lead to a 1.4 per cent, or 540 grams, reduction in the average weight of an Australian child.

According to the research, the associated health benefits could deliver $300 million worth of savings to the health system.

“While the Food and Grocery Council may be in denial, every parent knows that junk food advertising to children at any time of the day undermines efforts to encourage healthy eating habits,” Dr Pesce said.

“It is time for the Federal Government to show it’s serious about the targets by banning junk food advertising to children.

MJA Media Release - Warning on untreated bitter lupins after two women become ill

Consumers should be warned about the dangers of eating untreated bitter lupin beans after two people who consumed products containing the beans became ill with anticholinergic syndrome, according to an article in the Medical Journal of Australia.Lupins are a legume or pulse, and commonly eaten species may be either sweet or bitter. Sweet lupin flour is increasingly being added to bread to reduce glyaecemic index and reduce energy intake, and to sausages to decrease fat intake. Bitter lupins can also be eaten, but need to be treated first to remove excessive and dangerous levels of toxic alkaloids

The AMA has renewed calls for an immediate ban on the advertising of unhealthy food during children’s viewing hours.

AMA President, Dr Rosanna Capolingua, said obesity was becoming more prevalent in children, and urged government to act on advertising that targets children and unhealthy food.

“The health of Australia’s children, now and into the future, is of paramount importance. Food advertising influences what food children want, ask for, and eat,” Dr Capolingua said.

“Food advertising undermines the efforts of parents to provide healthy food for their children.

Youth Health: Food