Cupcake v's premature death!

I've been meaning to blog about this advert since I first saw it in a magazine a few weeks back. It has been stirring up a lot of backlash via parenting websites, chefs and child obesity experts who say that scaring children will do nothing to help the obesity epidemic in the UK.

Tam Fry, from the National Obesity Forum described the initiative as sending out "an absolutely ludicrous message".

"The idea that a cupcake will kill you is totally over the top, and for that reason the whole thing is totally counterproductive.

"Obviously cakes have to be an occasional treat, but the idea that a healthy child eating a cupcake at a party is dicing with death is absolutely crazy. Parents will switch off," he said.

Delia Smith said: "I think they have picked the wrong target by focusing on home cooking. I am pretty sure the advent of wall to wall advertising of junk food and confectionery has played a bigger part in the obesity crisis than mothers baking cakes."

She warned against "demonising home cooking", pointing out that mothers who made cakes were likely to cook the rest of their children's meals, and provide a more balanced diet than those who relied on junk food.

"There is nothing wrong with the occasional treat, I don't think unhealthy food exists, only unhealthy diets. I think it sends out entirely the wrong message" the chef said.

I have to agree. Yes I know that cupcakes are not the healthiest snack in the world, but demonising them isn't really going to help the obesity crisis is it? Are cupcakes really the unhealthiest food out there? What about fried chicken, burgers, crisps? Why cupcakes?!

I agree with the experts who say this kind of scaremongering is more likely to trigger eating disorders and problems with food rather than help! The government should perhaps stop targeting items that are an occasional treat and maybe put their money where there mouth (Which ALWAYS seems to be telling us what not to do!) and lower the price of fruit and veg in this country, bring back cooking classes and mainly stop scaring small children. We're all tired of it now.

You can read the full article here.