His push for change follows last week’s House of Representatives Health Committee obesity hearing in Dubbo and the release of University of Sydney research showing children are subjected to up to three inducements to eat junk food for every hour of television they watch.

Mr Coulton, a member of the parliamentary health committee, has long regarded obesity as a serious issue.

“Unfortunately the more disadvantaged members of society are the most vulnerable because they often lack budgeting and cooking skills,’’ he said.

“Fast food isn’t entirely to blame for Australia’s obesity epidemic and people do need to take responsibility for their own behaviour. However, they also need a helping hand along the way.

“It’s important to teach children about the positive benefits of eating well and young mothers, in particular, need more education on how to cook.

“Convenience foods might be quick and easy but they are also expensive and a poor nutrition choice. A bag of rice and some vegetables is a cheap, easy option that will feed a family for several days.’’

Mr Coulton has raised concerns about plans to locate a McDonald’s fast food outlet on the site of the Ashwood Country Comfort Resort - 60 metres from West Dubbo Public School.

He raised the issue with McDonalds when company

representatives presented a submission to the parliamentary obesity inquiry in Sydney on Thursday.

University of Sydney researchers looked at more than 20,000 advertisements aired during popular children programs and found more than one-quarter promoted junk food.

Advertisements featuring competitions and celebrity gimmicks were 18 times more likely to appear during children’s shows.

Greens MLC John Kaye is lobbying the State Government to introduce legislation to restrict junk food advertising.

South Australia and Queensland are already moving towards introducing legislation.

heather.crosby@ruralpress.com