'Ban unethical food advertising'
by Carol Aloysius
In an effort to create awareness of the adverse effect of unhealthy
food, the Sri Lanka Diabetes Federation, the Diabetes Research Unit of
the University of Colombo and NCD Unit of the Health Ministry reiterated
the importance of eating food with less sugar, salt and high fat and
switching to healthy lifestyles.
The three organizations jointly organized the Annual Diabetes Walk
for the sixth consecutive year to mark World Diabetes Day yesterday. The
walk was organised by a group of doctors headed by the Chairman Diabetes
Walk 2015, Dr Prasad Katulanda in which the President Maithripala
Sirisena also took part.
During the event the president drew parallels to technologically
advanced countries to illustrate the adverse health impacs from
technology dependency.
"Everyone should realize that prevention of diabetes cannot be done
by doctors alone," he said.
In an earlier instance similar sentiments were expressed by several
health care organizations who collectively called for a ban against
unethical food advertising.
They said 15% of children in urban areas were overweight while
diabetes, high cholesterol and high blood pressure were now frequently
seen among young people and blamed irresponsible advertising targeting
children in promotional campaigns as the main cause for this disturbing
trend. |