Marketing Poor Health in Schools.
According to recent research by the Irish Heart Foundation, nine out of
ten post-primary schools would welcome a national code of practice on
industry sponsorship and the provision and content of vending machines.
Foods high in fats, sugars and salt are widely available in schools.
Seventy-four percent of schools surveyed provided confectionary from at
least one outlet in the school, 57% provided salty snacks/crisps, 52%
provided fizzy/high sugar drinks. Provision of diet drinks, biscuits, cakes
and pastries was also high.
The report of the National Task Force on Obesity (2005) recommended that
all schools should develop a healthy lifestyle policy. Despite this
recommendation only thirty-six percent of schools reported having a healthy
eating policy.
Thirty-Eight Percent of schools reported that they accept sponsorship
from commercial organisations. The majority of these schools cited
inadequate funding for essential equipment as the primary reason for
accepting commercial sponsorship. Over fifty percent of schools who received
sponsored products reported that the products or merchandise contained
either logos, corporate colours or slogans.
The majority of schools surveyed were in favour of a national code of
practice in relation to industry sponsorship and a code of practice in
relation to the provision and content of vending machines.
