JUNIOR sports clubs in Frankston will stop giving out fast food vouchers as rewards as part of a new health initiative.
Some clubs have signed up for the VicHealth Healthy Sports Reward initiative, which will see takeaway coupons replaced with vouchers for things like pool sessions or tennis court access.
VicHealth CEO, Dr Sandro Demaio, said “rewarding children with vouchers for fast food during sport builds powerful brand associations at a young age and contribute to poor health, now and into adulthood.”
“Families are telling us they want healthier rewards for their children. We’re excited to partner with local Victorian councils to work towards making healthy and fun rewards the norm in junior sport,” she said.
Frankston mother Tammy Aitken said “I work hard to encourage my kids to fuel their bodies in a healthy way. When they get vouchers for fast food and takeaway after playing sport, it goes against everything I try to teach them. Of course, if one of my kids gets a voucher, the others want to eat that food too. I would love to see sports clubs give out rewards for healthy, fun activities.”
New research from VicHealth and Deakin University shows that two out of three parents think kids’ sports rewards should be healthy. Deakin University Associate Professor Kathryn Backholer said “vouchers for fast food in sport exploit children’s vulnerabilities by creating positive norms around the consumption of unhealthy food. Fast food companies use vouchers to draw families into their restaurants, making them a lot of money at the expense of children’s health.”
“All children should be able to enjoy sport free from unhealthy food and drink advertising. The Healthy Sport Rewards project is a positive step towards that goal.”
Junior clubs in the Frankston, Bendigo, Yarra Ranges, Shepparton and Nillumbik council areas are undertaking the initiative.