Comments on: Why walking to school can be unhealthy http://www.crikey.com.au/2008/12/17/why-walking-to-school-can-be-unhealthy/ now with extra source Sun, 12 Feb 2012 00:58:05 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 By: John M http://www.crikey.com.au/2008/12/17/why-walking-to-school-can-be-unhealthy/#comment-14189 John M Thu, 01 Jan 1970 10:00:00 +0000 #comment-14189 Bridget and Lesley, I sympathise with what you are trying to do, but I am somewhat concerned at your methodology. I used Google maps to check schools in Newtown and Penrith in Sydney. In Newtown, there is no part of the suburb that is more than 500m from a school. In Penrith the situation is better, but the areas more than 500m from a school were low density housing. Also, what is outdoor advertising? A shop with a poster? A drink machine? I have a retail establishment (not food) and my window displays are often put in by suppliers, for our mutual benefit. What's wrong with that? My route to work involves walking from a station in the direction of schools. My observation of school children is that they are more interested in their conversation than anything else, and that those walking seem to be in a healthy weight range. Have you done a survey to see what percentage of outdoor advertising is noticed by children, and whether there is a correlation to weight, travel mode or anything else for that matter? Bridget and Lesley, I sympathise with what you are trying to do, but I am somewhat concerned at your methodology. I used Google maps to check schools in Newtown and Penrith in Sydney. In Newtown, there is no part of the suburb that is more than 500m from a school. In Penrith the situation is better, but the areas more than 500m from a school were low density housing. Also, what is outdoor advertising? A shop with a poster? A drink machine? I have a retail establishment (not food) and my window displays are often put in by suppliers, for our mutual benefit. What’s wrong with that? My route to work involves walking from a station in the direction of schools. My observation of school children is that they are more interested in their conversation than anything else, and that those walking seem to be in a healthy weight range. Have you done a survey to see what percentage of outdoor advertising is noticed by children, and whether there is a correlation to weight, travel mode or anything else for that matter?

]]> By: Jen http://www.crikey.com.au/2008/12/17/why-walking-to-school-can-be-unhealthy/#comment-14190 Jen Thu, 01 Jan 1970 10:00:00 +0000 #comment-14190 Sorry to challenge your agenda but up here in the Tweed Region where the drought ravages primary, secondary and tertiary industries the chance of children exposed to advertising or commercial anything is highly remote. Quite frankly the local school notice board has the most toxic messages with the one of the most recent " Congratulations to Brie and Jason for making a baby" !!! Sorry to challenge your agenda but up here in the Tweed Region where the drought ravages primary, secondary and tertiary industries the chance of children exposed to advertising or commercial anything is highly remote. Quite frankly the local school notice board has the most toxic messages with the one of the most recent ” Congratulations to Brie and Jason for making a baby” !!!

]]> By: pamela http://www.crikey.com.au/2008/12/17/why-walking-to-school-can-be-unhealthy/#comment-14191 pamela Thu, 01 Jan 1970 10:00:00 +0000 #comment-14191 They will get them on the couches- they will get them walking- they will get them anywhere at all. <br />Flogging crap to kids is blood sport. They will get them on the couches- they will get them walking- they will get them anywhere at all.
Flogging crap to kids is blood sport.

]]> By: Mark Dunstan http://www.crikey.com.au/2008/12/17/why-walking-to-school-can-be-unhealthy/#comment-14192 Mark Dunstan Thu, 01 Jan 1970 10:00:00 +0000 #comment-14192 I hate these "Nanny State" articles. It shows a complete lack of trust in parents and educational authorities to teach children what is right and to be able to judge and resist this advertising. And what, pray, is the definition of unhealthy you are working from? A can of cola once a week? Vegemite in excess? A litre of full-cream milk drunk in one go? Or just chips and chocolate bars which a less obese generation gorged itself on.<br /><br />Anyway, kids don't walk to school anymore, which is why they are obese. Their mums drive them to school in their SUVs I hate these “Nanny State” articles. It shows a complete lack of trust in parents and educational authorities to teach children what is right and to be able to judge and resist this advertising. And what, pray, is the definition of unhealthy you are working from? A can of cola once a week? Vegemite in excess? A litre of full-cream milk drunk in one go? Or just chips and chocolate bars which a less obese generation gorged itself on.

Anyway, kids don’t walk to school anymore, which is why they are obese. Their mums drive them to school in their SUVs

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