Labour targets foods that can be over one-third sugar as OECD report says English children are among fattest in Europe

An interesting article, which is current. Showing the importance of the issue of childhood obesity and health are very much in the public eye. Both in terms of current heath issues and also the longer picture, of trying to keep healthcare costs down in the future in an era of financial uncertainty. 

— Link here — http://www.guardian.co.uk/society/2013/jan/05/ban-sugary-cereals-child-obesity

Ban high-sugar cereals to tackle child obesity, says Andy Burnham

Labour targets foods that can be over one-third sugar as OECD report says English children are among fattest in Europe

• Conal Urquhart and agencies
• guardian.co.uk, Saturday 5 January 2013 10.17 GMT
• Jump to comments (897)

Kellogg's Coco Pops Straws and Pink Panther Jammy Wheels biscuits are among foodstuffs criticised for being targeted at children while being very high in sugar. Photograph: Linda Nylind for the Guardian

The government should ban high-sugar cereals such as Coco Pops and other foods that are contributing to an obesity epidemic among Britishchildren, the shadow health secretary has urged.

Regulations limiting the amount of sugar, salt and fat in processed foods should be considered if the food industry does not take action itself, according to Labour's Andy Burnham, who has begun a consultation on how to tackle obesity.

Burnham highlighted the case of breakfast cereals, saying many aimed at children are more than one-third sugar by weight.

"Like all parents, I have bought products like cereals and fruit drinks, marketed as more healthy, that contained higher sugar levels than expected," he told the Daily Telegraph. "I don't think that any parent would be comfortable with their child eating something that is 40% sugar."

A report by the Organisation for the Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) found that English children were the third fattest in Europe, after Italy and Greece – but almost twice as obese as the French. Almost 27% of girls in England were overweight and 23% of boys.

The OECD estimated that a comprehensive anti-obesity strategy in England would cost less than £12 per person and save 70,000 lives per year.

Burnham has begun consulting with the public and experts on the issue, and is considering proposing a 30% cap on sugar in cereals. He warned that the rise in obesity was "storing up huge problems for the country and the National Health Service in the long term", and said the government had failed to tackle the epidemic.

But the Department of Health said it has helped reduce the levels of fat, sugar and salt in foods. A spokesman said: "By working with industry through the Responsibility Deal we have helped to reduce fat, sugar and salt in foods. There is now less salt in the food we buy, companies are cutting and capping calories and artificial trans fats are being widely taken out of food.

"We are working to reduce the amount of salt in food further, cut saturated fat consumption and we are exploring how to promote healthier food choices more widely. We also want more businesses making pledges so we get bigger results."

Paula Scher et al. on consumer culture and more.

Talking about how graphic designers play a role for future generations, with the choices we make now.
There is also discussion about how they feel as designers to be generating more 'stuff' in a over-consuming, wasteful consumer culture.

There are some vital points being brought up about packaging, legacy and realistic goals we can expect as a profession in terms of changing our actions and that having an effect on consumer culture, the environment and our species as a whole.
It's realistic and with there being a selection of different viewpoints it makes a well rounded and grounded point.

Do Good Design

David B. Berman, talking about the theory on his book "Do Good Design".
He says "this profession is still up for grabs" (Graphic design), I think this is a very refreshing way to look at the industry, there is still possibility for change.

Cultual Influence of A Designer

"Graphic design serves as a filter through which much of our communication is disseminated. Graphic designers find themselves in the unique position of being gatekeepers of information as well as providing a mirror that reflects contemporary culture.

The influence that graphic designers have on how communication is delivered may not always be apparent to them. Often they are embroiled in the details of a project and don’t even realise the impact their work has had or will have until some time has passed and the work is seen in retrospect.

Other times they are faced with a decision where the implications are apparent and they may be torn about whether or not they should create propaganda for a party whose politics they don’t believe in. They also know that if they don’t take the job and benefit financially from it, someone else will.

Read more about the powerful influence on culture that graphic designers have."
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From — http://www.ethicsingraphicdesign.org
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"The influence that graphic designers have on how communication is delivered may not always be apparent to them. Often they are embroiled in the details of a project and don’t even realise the impact their work has had or will have until some time has passed and the work is seen in retrospect."  — I think it's important to consider this when working or taking on work, what impact could the message of the brand or campaign have on the audience. Do you want to encourage people to buy a harmful or wasteful product. Is it to much to start thinking about the long term effects of what you're essentially endorsing by designing? Socially and environmentally?