Soft drinks not so sweet
RHIANA Elder does not take a soft stance on sugar. She says her children Jaycee, 7, and Harrison, 2, stick to water as their main drink, whether they’re at home or eating out. The Kanimbla mum welcomed the state government’s decision to restrict junk food advertising near schools and sports groups. “It’ll stop the parents from caving in to that hassling, because sometimes it can feel easier to pick your battles and give in.”
RHIANA Elder does not take soft drinks lightly.
The Kanimbla mum-of-two makes sure Jaycee, 7, and Harrison, 2, stick to water as their main drink whether they’re at home or eating out.
“It’s not something we have in the house. My husband is a chef, so he does watch what they eat,” she said.
“Jaycee hadn’t tried soft drink for the first time until she was about four, but they do pretty much just drink water.”
Ms Elder said the state government’s decision to restrict junk food advertising near schools and sports groups was a welcome change.
“I think it’ll stop the parents from being hassled as much,” she said.
“It’ll stop the parents from caving in to that hassling, because sometimes it can feel easier to pick your battles and give in.”
Cancer Council Queensland chief executive Chris McMillan said reducing advertising around schools and sporting groups would go a long way towards preventing childhood obesity.
“With one quarter of Queensland children over- weight or obese, strategies like this will help to improve the health of the next generation,” she said.
“Sugar-sweetened beverages, in particular, are a major source of sugar in the Australian diet.
“Young Australians are the highest consumers of sugarsweetened beverages, along with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and socially disadvantaged groups.
“We know these beverages have little or no nutritional value, provide excess energy, and lead to weight gain.
“Obesity is an established risk factor for some cancers and other chronic diseases.
“Although many factors influence obesity, research shows sugary drinks and junk food play a significant role in driving up obesity rates.”
WE KNOW THAT THESE BEVERAGES HAVE LITTLE OR NO NUTRITIONAL VALUE, PROVIDE EXCESS ENERGY, AND LEAD TO WEIGHT GAIN CHRIS MCMILLAN