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Restricting Marketing of Unhealthy Foods and Beverages to Children and Youth in Canada

Obesity levels among children in Canada are at historically high levels.1 Obesity has been linked to the development of chronic diseases, including kidney disease, with overweight and obesity estimated to cost the Canadian health system and economy $30 billion annually2 and chronic diseases around $93 billion annually.3

We endorse the recommendations that the federal government immediately begins a legislative process to restrict all marketing targeted to children under the age of 13 of foods and beverages high in saturated fats, trans-fatty acids, free sugars or sodium and that in the interim the food industry immediately ceases marketing of such food to children.

 

1 Shields M. Overweight and obesity among children and youth. Statistics Canada catalogue no. 82-003; 2006.
2 Behan DF, Cox SH. Obesity and its relation to mortality and morbidity costs. The Society of Actuaries. December 2010.
3 Mirolla M. The cost of chronic disease in Canada. A study prepared for the Chronic Disease Prevention Alliance of Canada. January 2004.