Unhealthy food and drink marketing in Aotearoa New Zealand: Evidence Snapshot 2022

Abstract

In the three years since, the evidence base for protecting our children from unhealthy food and drink marketing has grown stronger, however the updated Advertising Standards Authority Children and Young People’s (CYPA) Code still offers little to no protection to children. In line with te Tiriti o Waitangi and the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, every child has the right to grow up in an environment that allows them to be healthy, no matter where they live. However environments that promote and normalise unhealthy food and drink over healthier options, as well as factors such as poverty and food insecurity, mean that for many children, eating healthy foods is difficult. Children in Aotearoa New Zealand (hereafter NZ) are exposed to excessive levels of powerful unhealthy food and drink marketing every day. It affects their food preferences and eating behaviour, leading to a variety of health problems including increased dental caries, attention difficulties, emotional problems, and increased body size. This can set children up for a lifetime of adverse health-related and social consequences and intergenerational effects. We must put children before food industry profits and act now to protect the health and wellbeing of all children in NZ.