Advertising

The relationship between food advertising and children’s health is under the spotlight as childhood obesity, depression, and behavioural problems increase.

Research by the Food Standards Agency, and others reveals that junk food advertising directly and indirectly influences children’s food preferences, purchasing behaviour and consumption:

• The UK’s children face junk food TV ads amounting to £500m a year, on top of sponsorship, packaging, text messaging and the internet. Much of it is targeted directly at children
• Children eating junk food diets lack vitamins, minerals and essential fatty acids and are at risk from developing high blood pressure, raised cholesterol, heart disease, diabetes or cancer in later life
• Children with these types of diets are also reported to have problems concentrating, controlling aggression and with academic performance
• The psychological impact of obesity can be damaging for many children, leading to bullying and psychological problems.

Priorities

Government has the power to regulate advertising and forms of promotion such as product placement. It should use this power to protect public health, particularly to protect vulnerable groups such as children.