Bill sparks childhood obesity debate again

[The Straight Story]

Bill sparks childhood obesity debate again

A proposal heard by the Legislature’s Agriculture Committee has ignited discussion about Nebraska’s childhood obesity problem.

Legislative Bill 126, introduced by Sen. Bill Avery of Lincoln, was drafted to create the Children’s Health and Responsible Corporate Marketing Act, requiring fast food, full-service restaurants or convenience stores to meet nutritional standards stated in the bill if they advertise or provide any toy, game, etc. in packaged children’s meals. Facing resistance from the food and drink industry, Agriculture Committee postponed the bill indefinitely, but that hasn’t kept health experts from weighing in on the subject of childhood obesity.

....

LB 126 notes that 14 percent of Nebraska’s children are overweight and another 11 percent obese. Michele Bever, executive director of South Heartland District Health Department, said that in the seven schools participating in a wellness program with her department, 18 percent of students are obese and 17 percent are overweight.

...

“Part of the problem can be traced back to highly sophisticated efforts of corporate marketing experts,” Avery wrote in a Jan. 13 update to his constituents. “The insidious tactics used to advertise unhealthful food to young children can only be described as predatory.”

http://www.hastingstribune.com/news3.php