Lawsuit obesity issues at the kid level

[collwen]

Nickelodeon and Kellogg to be sued for promoting junk food to kids

I heard a little about this on the radio before getting into work. Basically, a consumer group and some parents are putting together a lawsuit against Nickelodeon and Kellogg to try to stop marketing junk food (and other low nutrition foods like sugary cereals) in venues (like Nickelodeon) where most of the audience are kids. Since they're filing in the lawsuit in Massachusetts, they have to notify the company 30 days in advance of filing.

While I understand that more kids are getting fat (speaking as someone who was one of the fat kids in school), I don' t think that a lawsuit is the best way to deal with it.

Parents have a responsibility to buy and serve healthy foods to their children and teach them about good nutrition. Parents also need to learn how to not to give into a child's demands for junk food, or if they do give in to limit the amount that the child has. Parents also need to encourage exercise, and lead by example in all healthy habits.

I also understand that it's hard to tell a kid no when they go to the store and see a box of super sugary cereal or Pop Tarts with Spongebob Squarepants on the front and it's their favorite show and they're begging for it.

But this food isn't illegal. Selling it to (or giving it to) kids is legal (unlike tobacco products and alcohol). And the junk food for kids market is there and strong and companies won't really change until the demand goes down (by parents not buying the product) and the demand for healthier kid-oriented food grows.

Pressuring them with a lawsuit is only going to encourage them to get creative in how they continue working the junk food for kids market and not solve the underlying issues..

Comments

[curlyeric.livejournal.com]

The company will not stand to loose out. The will just change names or tactics. With how large most of them are you can't even really boycot them either since you will just be paying them through higer prices on their other goods.

Short of the smaller mom+pop companies you can't really boycot sony, not will any attempt really cut into their bottom line since they will raise other prices in order to compensate.

[collwen.livejournal.com]

but the lawsuits aren't going to be as effective from a financial stance either, because these companies can stand to pay a million in a lawsuit and not even shake in their boots.

[curlyeric.livejournal.com]

The real hope from a lawsuit like this is to get either an injunction or agreement barring them from specific behaviors. I would bet that Nick will be barred from advertizing junk food items more than a specific number of times per hour.

[curlyeric.livejournal.com]

"The lawsuit seeks to stop the companies from marketing junk food when 15 percent or more of the audience is 8 years old or younger. It targets not only commercials but Web sites, toy giveaways, contests and other marketing aimed at that age group.

CSPI said it had analyzed food advertising on Nickelodeon and during Saturday-morning TV shows as well as in magazines and food packages. The majority of the food ads involving both companies were for nutrition-poor foods, CSPI said"

So they are not looking for money, but a change in practice of the stations who are targeting those younger than 8 years old. I think that it is a very worth while lawsuit and I hope they get them from such unsavory practices.

[collwen.livejournal.com]

now, can a lawsuit actually do that or would they have to get a regulation/law change to back it up?

[(Anonymous)]

The courts can do so on a case-by-cases basis where someone can prove they have been wronged or that they are likley to suceed at trial. Sweeping changes can only be done through legislation at the federal level.