ExerciseNZ questions fast food and sugary drinks sponsorship of sporting teams

February 18, 2020

12 months out from the start of America’s Cup yacht racing in Auckland, the Exercise Association of New Zealand (ExerciseNZ) has today challenged whether McDonald’s should be a sponsor on the Emirates Team New Zealand boat.

ExerciseNZ Chief Executive Richard Beddie highlighted research shows that children who start on the path of extra weight gain when young are then set up for major health consequences as they get older, and setting up healthy eating options early on is so crucial.

With Emirates Team NZ now sponsored by McDonald’s, ExerciseNZ is raising concerns about organisations being backed by big fast food companies which can send the wrong message to families.

Beddie explained "we also have sugary drink company, Pepsi’s Gatorade, sponsoring the All Blacks, the New Zealand Maori, Sevens, Women's Sevens, Black Ferns and New Zealand Under-20 for the next five years.

“I call on the government to ban fast food and sugary drink companies, sponsoring sports teams and events, just as cigarette companies are banned from backing sport any more.

“I think it’s cheap that fast food companies use this association of sports events and organisations to look heathy and active when it couldn't be further from the truth.

“It may not imperil New Zealand’s best sports people, but it sends concerning messages to young Kiwis and families.

“Consumption of heavily processed foods is considered one of the many health conditions that the taxpayer ends up paying for, while fast food outlets make millions by peddling their unhealthy food.

“The downstream health issues caused by fast food giants is undermining the government’s health message in a country which has one of the worst rates of children’s physical activity in the world, with 90% not meeting the minimum World Health Organisation guidelines for activity.

“If Kiwi kids are bingeing on burgers, pizza, fries, and other fast foods, perhaps it is time for parents to intervene. Over-consumption not only wreaks havoc on their health but also independently contribute to excess weight gain among children.

“Researchers have often emphasised on the need to take extra care of a child's diet and how important it is to steer clear of junk and fast food.

“Obesity is one of the world's biggest health concerns. Overweight children are at an increased risk of numerous physical and psychosocial problems like fatty liver disease, Type-2 diabetes and depression.

“The Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth College in the US has found that fast food, by itself, uniquely contributes to weight gain. Their study has been published in the Pediatric Obesity journal which is a peer-reviewed medical publication covering research into all aspects of obesity during childhood and adolescence.

Image: Simon van Velthooven with the America's Cup trophy at the McDonald's in Feilding. Credit: YouTube/EmiratesTeamNZ

30th January 2020 - ExerciseNZ’s Beddie calls for New Zealanders to be more active in 2020

26th November 2019 - Lift Brands’ Ty Menzies joins ExerciseNZ board

20th November 2019 - ExerciseNZ findings endorses new research showing that people becoming more active with the onset of summer

11th November 2019 - ExerciseNZ and Impact Training Corporation partner to boost club and studio sales

3rd October 2019 - ExerciseNZ backs relaunch of Yoga New Zealand

20th August 2019 - ExerciseNZ’s Beddie highlights ways that activity increases life expectancy

25th July 2019 - COM Marketing announce partnership with ExerciseNZ

24th July 2019 - ExerciseNZ calls for action on New Zealand’s obesity epidemic and physical inactivity crisis

30th April 2019 - ExerciseNZ looks to reverse misconception that summer is the best time to join a gym

16th April 2019 - ExerciseNZ encourages entries for 2019 New Zealand Exercise Industry Awards

1st April 2019 - ExerciseNZ’s Beddie flags anomaly of New Zealand having high gym membership and low overall physical inactivity

24th January 2019 - ExerciseNZ and payment solutions provider announce partnership

30th November 2018 - ExerciseNZ welcomes significant growth in Maori exercise leaders

22nd November 2018 - 2018 ExerciseNZ awards set to be presented in Auckland

12th April 2017 - Junk food constitutes majority of purchases from swimming pool kiosks

17th October 2016 - New Zealand’s ‘no sugary drinks’ logo launch sends clear health message

29th July 2016 - Sugary drinks dropped from Auckland Council leisure centres

13th July 2016 - Children need protection from unhealthy food and drink sports sponsorship

15th May 2015 - Fast Food labelling changes food purchasing behaviours in young people

26th October 2014 - Alcohol, fast food and gambling dominate Aussie sport

10th June 2014 - Fast food sponsorship swamps childrens sport

15th February 2011 - Sporting Stars encourage junk food consumption

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