A submission from Healthy Families Manukau, Manurewa-Papakura captured the voice of South Auckland children on the review of the Code for Advertising to Children and the Children’s Code for Advertising Food.

It was imperative that a submission be made with 1 in 5 children in South Auckland being obese and the unequivocal evidence that the marketing of unhealthy foods and sugar-sweetened beverages is related to childhood obesity.

“We support our children’s right to health and for their voices to be heard on issues that impact them so profoundly”, says Leilani Unasa, Settings Coordination Manager, Healthy Families Manukau, Manurewa-Papakura.

Leilani was delighted when the Review Panel agreed to accept a video submission because it allowed the voices of the children to be heard directly by decision makers.

The submission supports the recommendations of the World Health Organisation Commission on Ending Childhood Obesity to reduce the exposure of children and adolescents to, and the power of, the marketing of unhealthy foods.

The Panel is yet to make public the findings of the review.

Photo Source: Report of the Commission on Ending Childhood Obesity, World Health Organization 2016