YES BUT - Louise Diss, managing director, The Obesity Awareness &Solutions Trust
When looking at this issue you have to weigh up the fact that fast foodcompanies have a need to contribute something back into society. If theywant to contribute that is fine, but it should not be reliant on thembeing able to advertise their product. Giving money shouldn't be aboutfree advertising. I would like all companies of this nature to putforward money, but they shouldn't necessarily have an endorsement byusing their logo for the project.
NO - Ian Tokelove, communications manager, The Food Commission
It is imperative that children's sport be encouraged, but funding shouldcome from organisations that do not have a vested interest in sellingproducts that can undermine a healthy diet. Cadbury nearly succeeded inselling 160 million bars of chocolate to exchange for sports equipment afew years ago. Our researchers pointed out that a 10-year-old eatingenough chocolate to earn a basketball would need to play for 90 hours toburn off the calories consumed. Such profiteering on the back ofchildren's health must not be allowed.
YES - Marina Palomba, legal director, Institute of Practitioners inAdvertising
Enlightened self-interest is positively good for consumers, Governmentand business. Increasingly, consumers and Government require industry tobe proactive in undertaking environmental and socially responsiblebusiness practices and we ought to be thankful for that, and encouragefood retailers and manufacturers to support children's sporting events.It is shortsighted for consumer groups to criticise well-meaning effortsby UK businesses to help with sports events.
NO - Richard Watts, campaign co-ordinator, Children's Food Campaign
We don't think sponsoring sport should be used as a way of promotingunhealthy food. It's ironic that children are being encouraged to dosport to work off the effects of eating this food in the first place.Doing this doesn't balance the bad contribution that eating high fat'salt, sugar products has on children's health. One in three children areeither obese or overweight and that is likely to rise to one in two by2020 unless we do something. Poor diet is a key cause of this.
