Advocating for Children’s Health CDA is a steering committee member of the Stop Marketing to Kids Coalition and is committed to the coalition’s mission to support the development of restrictions on the marketing of foods and beverages high in salt, sugar or saturated fats to children in Canada. “The link between dietary sugar and tooth decay makes this effort a natural fit with the goals of dentistry to improve oral health in Canada,” says Riti Bhandari, policy advisor at CDA. “We also know that good oral health in childhood leads to better oral health later in life. Oral health and general health are inextricably connected; working with a coalition of health care professions and stakeholders toward better nutrition through decreased marketing of unhealthy food and drinks to children, could make a big difference, not only for kids’ teeth in the short term, but their health and well-being throughout their lives.” In 2014, Heart and Stroke and Childhood Healthy Living Foundation coordinated consultations across Canada to develop evidence-based consensus policy recommendations to improve children’s health through better nutrition. These recommendations, which were the foundation of the coalition, were informed by the World Health Organization’s 2010 recommendation that called on countries to take action to reduce the uncontrolled volume and excessive power of food and beverage marketing to children. This mission is driven by some alarming statistics: z Ultra-processed food consumption in Canada is highest in children between 9 and 13, making up nearly 60% of calories in their diets. z Diets high in ultra-processed foods or sugary drinks are linked to an increased risk of cardiovascular disease, stroke, diabetes, cancers, tooth decay and mortality later in life. z In 2019 alone, dietary risk factors contributed to 36,000 deaths in Canada. z Children in Canada are bombarded with marketing for food high in salt, sugar and/or saturated fat on a regular basis across a variety of media and settings. z Children are uniquely vulnerable to marketing due to their still-developing brains. z Canada is falling behind other countries that are introducing similar restrictions for children. 17 Issue 3 | 2024 |
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