Category: News
Date: 09.09.2004
Printable version
More than
three-quarters (76%) of respondents to a nationwide 91Èȱ¬ News survey
said they would support Government action banning junk food advertising
from children's television to discourage obesity.
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The 91Èȱ¬'s Healthy Britain poll questioned more
than one thousand adults on a number of diet related issues, including
food taxation, exercise, and free fruit for school children.
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The banning of junk food adverts was supported across
all age groups, with 81% of 65+ year olds and 60% of 18 to 24 year olds
supportive of the idea.
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Nine out of ten (90%) would back increased Government
funding to extend free fruit and vegetables to all school age children.
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Relatedly, 82% agree Government should encourage people
to eat more healthily by using funding to make fruit and vegetables
cheaper and more easily available.
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Women were more supportive of such an initiative, with
86% of female respondents backing the idea, versus 78% of male respondents.
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Nearly two-thirds of the survey group (60%) would support
a ban on supermarkets displaying sweets by check-outs, with 67% of parents
having voiced their support for such a ban.
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Eighty-nine per cent supported a legal obligation on
schools to ensure children eat healthily while they are at school, and
80% would support Government preventing schools from raising extra funds
from vending machines that sell junk food and fizzy drinks.
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Over a third (39%) were in favour of tax on food high
in salt, sugar and fat. Sixty per cent were opposed to the notion.
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The strongest support across the survey was the opinion
shared by 91% of the poll for greater governmental encouragement to
walk and cycle by the provision of safer pavements and more cycle lanes.
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Notes to Editors
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The 91Èȱ¬'s Healthy Britain survey should be credited
if any of the above findings are used.
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The poll was conducted for the 91Èȱ¬ by ICM, who carried
out a survey by phone of 1,010 adults across England, Scotland and Wales
between 20 and 22 of August.
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