Junk food advertising rules criticised 

Anti-obesity campaigners say new rules restricting food advertising aimed at children are not strong enough. 

The Advertising Standards Authority wants a stop to celebrities promoting unhealthy diets and food advertising targeting children aged under eight. 

But, Fight the Obesity Epidemic says the new rules are not clear cut and will come down to the interpretation of the complaints committee. Spokesperson, Robyn Toomath, says the changes are laughable and too open to interpretation.

She says if past experience is anything to go by the complaints board is likely to rule in favour of advertisers.

Meanwhile, childhood obesity has been at the forefront of discussions at a meeting of Australasian Health Ministers in Wellington on Friday.

New Zealand Health Minister Pete Hodgson says he asked for obesity to be considered at the meeting, as he believes it is one of the most serious health issues facing both countries.

Hodgson says the aim of the meeting is to learn about which anti-obesity programmes are working.

He says if the problem is not controlled there will be serious health consequences, including increased rates of diabetes and cancer.

Hodgson says there needs to be a change to the approach to food.