Ten out of 11 food, beverage, alcohol and gambling companies with access to 1.25 million children on sports programs have been deemed to have an “unhealthy influence” in a new study.
According to the study, which was published in the Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health, the ten products failed to meet Food Standards Australia and New Zealand criteria for health claims.
Little Athletics and Surf Lifesaving had the greatest number of unhealthy food and drinks sponsors - including McDonald's, Robbies Confectionery, Gatorade, Kellogg, and Schweppes - according to researchers.
Kathy Chapman, co-author and director of cancer programs at Cancer Council NSW, told Fairfax Media that sponsorships could undermine the healthy lifestyle the programs aim to promote.
"Interviews of 10 to 14-year-olds have found they think of food and drink companies that sponsor their club and favourite team as 'cool'," she said.
A Nestle spokeswoman defended its 23-year partnership between Milo and Cricket Australia, saying Milo was a formulated supplementary food, which when made as directed, achieved 4.5 health stars.
"It's important that any food sponsorship communicates balanced and sensible eating, as well as healthy activity," she told Fairfax Media.
"We're careful to ensure that we encourage appropriate portions, and that we strongly emphasise the importance of regular physical activity."
