JUNK food companies are making customers fat, then selling them the cure, health experts claim.
Deals between producers of junk foods and slimming groups and health charities are allowing the industry to cash in on both ends of the obesity epidemic, they argue.
Partnerships between KFC and the McGrath Foundation, Nestle and Jenny Craig, McDonald's and Weight Watchers, and Domino's Pizza and the weight-loss show The Biggest Loser have been criticised for trying to make brands famous for selling burgers, fries and lollies appear more healthy.
Advertisement: Story continues below The companies reject the allegation, saying the associations are meant to offer more healthy choices and are a genuine attempt to be part of the obesity solution.
Jane Martin, of the Obesity Policy Coalition, called this ''weightwashing'' - a tactic to convince consumers the fast-food industry was responding to the obesity epidemic, in the same way ''greenwashing'' allowed polluting businesses to appear environmentally responsible.
''Junk food manufacturers are at the forefront of this strategy, which is similar to what we have already seen adopted by the tobacco and oil industries,'' Ms Martin said.
''It gives them the veneer of corporate social responsibility.''
During the Sydney cricket Test this month, the McGrath Foundation linked up with KFC, which donated $1 from every pink bucket of deep-fried chicken to the breast cancer charity.
Nutritionist Rosemary Stanton said these sorts of deals toyed with the emotions of people who wanted to support a worthy cause.
http://www.smh.com.au/lifestyle/wellbei ... 19rvj.html
Weightwashing
Weightwashing
“If you trust in yourself, and believe in your dreams, and follow your star. . . you'll still get beaten by people who spent their time working hard and learning things and weren't so lazy.”
Re: Weightwashing
Your signature line is hilarious! 
For me, it is far better to grasp the Universe as it really is than to persist in delusion, however satisfying and reassuring.
~ Carl Sagan
~ Carl Sagan
Re: Weightwashing
Unfortunately not original.
The late great Les Dawson.
The late great Les Dawson.
“If you trust in yourself, and believe in your dreams, and follow your star. . . you'll still get beaten by people who spent their time working hard and learning things and weren't so lazy.”