How do we avoid being sucked into junk food deals in the supermarkets
Three in five Australian adults are enticed by specials and promotions on sugary and junk food drinks in the supermarket, research released today suggests.
The study conducted by LiveLighter is a health education campaign through the Cancer Council and Heart Foundation. 53% of people shop at the store at least once a week or on a daily basis.
There are many instances in when shoppers are enticed to purchase unhealthy foods by the layout of the shop or product display and the advertising.
From good intentions…
Many people strive to have the right diet. About two-thirds (65%) of 22,000 Australians interviewed often prepare their meals ahead of time. Nearly half of them compare products from supermarkets to determine which one is healthier.
Three out of five indicated that they would buy junk food items like chocolate, lollies, biscuits, chips, ice cream, and soft drinks when the things were in sale or promotions. It’s not surprising, considering how inexpensive and easily junk food items are available, not just in the stores but also in transportation hubs, workplaces, and even in neighborhoods.
In a bid to induce impulse purchases in the supermarket, Food products that are processed are sold at the end of aisles in the island bin displays and at the checkout counter. Sometimes, they’re on special or have huge promotional packs, multipacks, or two-for-one deals, which are appealing to consumers who value price.
Customers may value the ease of use, the taste, or the brand of a refined “snack” food. The cheaper vegetables or fruits do not have the same influence to make purchases or sales, and they don’t offer the same margins of profit. Catalogs of supermarkets and websites advertise weekly specials, which often include fresh vegetables, but are usually mostly dominated by food and drink promotions that are unhealthy.
About 35 percent of Australians consume their energy, which is now derived from unhealthy foods. This means that around 63 percent of Australian adults and 27% of kids are overweight or obese.
What is required for action?
Supermarkets can make the healthier choice an easy option in the lives of Australian families.
Certain supermarkets have launched initiatives like free checkouts for confectionery and providing fresh fruits for free to kids in the store. We’d like to know more about this.
We’d also like to see healthier beverages and food featured more often in their last-minute catalogs, advertising, and promotions.
Concerning obesity, an extensive approach is long overdue. There is a growing global consensus on the measures most likely to be able to create the greatest effect on promoting healthy eating habits. They include:
The restriction of advertising and promotion of junk food products as well as drinks for children and young people. The current self-regulation system is severely insufficient and needs to be addressed by more rigorous regulation.
Implementing a tax on sugary drinks raises the cost of these drinks and decreases consumption. The money raised could be used to fund obesity prevention initiatives.
Making it mandatory to use the Health Star Rating System and reworking the system so that it is in line with the dietary guidelines
Restricting the availability and promotion of harmful drinks and foods in hospitals as well as public areas, particularly places frequented by young children and adolescents.
Promoting the reformulation of processed food products to lessen the impact of the importance of certain nutrients for health and establishing clear goals and timeframes for achieving these
Intensifying and extending funding for research-based public education programs. Studies show that they increase knowledge and comprehension and change attitudes that lead to the desire to alter behavior.
