(By Dr. Joseph D. Lim and Dr. Kenneth Lester Lim, BS-MMG, DDM, MSc-OI)
NORWAY has banned the advertising of unhealthy food and beverages to children under 18.
The age limit is recommended by the United Nations and the World Health Organization (WHO).
The ban was promoted by the Norwegian Dental Association (NDA) and the Norwegian Health Organization.
The ban, approved by Norway’s parliament in June, a monumental move to protect the oral and general health of Norwegians, takes effect in early 2024.
Research has shown that there is a strong connection between the amount of advertising children see for unhealthy food, such as snacks and sweets, and their calorie intake, according to the NDA and the Norwegian Health Organization.
One in five Norwegian children is overweight or obese, with the health risks carried by the condition.
Unhealthy food and drinks containing large amounts of sugar and fat, are high risk nutrients associated with obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, as well as many other general diseases including oral diseases. Many non-sugar beverages contain sugar substitutes, and some of these are currently regarded by the WHO as possibly carcinogenic.
This is why the NDA convinced health authorities to introduce the advertising ban.
Children are exposed to huge amounts of marketing, including for unhealthy food and drink. Marketing works, that is why it is necessary to regulate it to protect children’s health.
One of the great game-changers is the use of social media and influencers, which means children are exposed to this kind of marketing on channels where parents have little insight and control.
The NDA expects the ban to be effective and reduce the amount of unhealthy food and drink children will consume.
The NDA cooperated with other organizations such as Norwegian Health Association to fight obesity, a condition linked to diabetes, which in turn is linked to oral health issues. The NDA considers oral health issues in the context of general health. For example, beverages with low pH have been associated with dental problems. It is also a general health problem with effects on general nutrition.
In recent years, the commercialization of unhealthy food and drinks targeting adolescents and children has increased mainly through social media, sending alarm bells to the NDA.
The ban was a long process in the making. A similar ban was proposed in 2012 but was opposed by the industry. A compromise put the responsibility on the food industry to regulate itself and protect children. It did not work.
Strong, science-based arguments led to an alliance with other influential organizations like UNICEF, Save the Children Foundation’s youth organization, the Norwegian Cancer Society, The Consumer Council, and Geitmyra Culinary Center for Children.
The main aim was to prevent obesity. It was also argued by the NDA that the only way to improve oral health in the long term is to see oral health as an integrated part of general health.
The NDA believes it is important to have a clear policy integrating oral health into general health, with a clear mindset of dentists being first in line to provide preventive health care and treatment for diseases and conditions in the mouth.
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Dr. Joseph D. Lim, Ed. D., is the former Associate Dean of the College of Dentistry, University of the East; former Dean, College of Dentistry, National University; Past President and Honorary Fellow of the Asian Oral Implant Academy; Honorary Fellow of the Japan College of Oral Implantologists; Honorary Life Member of the Thai Association of Dental Implantology; and Founding Chairman of the Philippine College of Oral Implantologists. For questions on dental health, e-mail jdlim2008@gmail.com or text 0917-8591515.
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Dr. Kenneth Lester Lim, BS-MMG, DDM, MSc-OI, graduated Doctor of Dental Medicine, University of the Philippines, College of Dentistry, Manila, 2011; Bachelor of Science in Marketing Management, De la Salle University, Manila, 2002; and Master of Science (MSc.) in Oral Implantology, Goethe University, Frankfurt, Germany, 2019. He is an Associate Professor; Fellow, International Congress of Oral Implantologists; Member, American Academy of Implant Dentistry and Fellow, Philippine College of Oral Implantologists. For questions on dental health, e-mail limdentalcenter@gmail.com./PN
