Australians don’t want junk food ad regulation: AANA

Advertising association the AANA has published research indicating most Australians don’t think they are influenced heavily by junk food advertising, using the findings to argue against government ad restrictions. But a health expert has slammed the study, criticising its methodology and saying it knowingly underplays the impact of food advertising.

The context for the Australian Association of National Advertisers (AANA) study is increasing concern about obesity and a South Australian ban on unhealthy food advertising on government properties. The AANA has strongly criticised the SA initiative, saying the rules on what counts as unhealthy food are arbitrary and unclear.

Now it has released a study conducted by Nielsen that focuses on what it calls “occasional foods” — widely known as junk food — that concludes that parents see themselves, and not advertising, as the most important factor in their children’s eating habits.

“This research is a roadmap to drive real behaviour change around healthier eating habits. It shows that Australians want health education and support to make better choices – not more advertising restrictions,” AANA CEO Josh Faulks said in a release accompanying the report.