But there's a striking contradiction and glaring inconsistency with this culture when it comes to the way parents feed their kids.

One in four children are obese and overweight. And many other youngsters are on their way to poor health, through easy and repeated access to unhealthy food.

The conservative side of the political spectrum tends to lay this problem at the feet of the individual. People have a choice, they say. Their argument goes that people should take responsibility for what they put in their own – and their kids' – mouths.

But this line of thinking ignores reality. The reality is that big business is using its money, power and ruthlessness to keep as many people as possible eating unhealthy food. Many people seem oblivious of this.

Advertising for bad food is everywhere. The lure of sugar and fat is everywhere. Most people can't avoid it. They're bamboozled. 

Take a walk down the aisles of any supermarket and you'll find a lot of processed food in shiny, alluring packaging. Many of these products come with dubious and deceptive health claims.

University of Newcastle Professor Clare Collins is among a growing number of people who are calling for change.

Professor Collins believes a national nutrition policy would be an important step towards new regulations. 

She pointed out that people get upset when they can't get affordable access to new drugs, but "we don’t get upset that companies are providing food that will tip people towards a lifetime of ill health".

Professor Collins also contrasted the need for new food regulations with the wearing of seatbelts. That is, people have learned that wearing seatbelts is the right thing to do because of regulations.

She said parents can't be blamed for feeding bad food to their children because "there’s nothing strongly guiding them".

"There’s no policy saying, 'hey you junk-food pushers, stay away from our kids'."

The message many parents have now is that feeding their children junk food equates to fun, happiness and being nice.

Big changes are needed.

But will our governments get support from voters to make them? And if they do, will they have the courage to effect change? 

ISSUE: 39,143.