British Heart Foundation - How junk food companies target your kids

Every parent knows the power of advertising. Brightly coloured cartoon characters, cool celebrities and free giveaways all have the power to pull our children in and make them want what is being marketed to them.

That's why TV adverts for foods high in fat, salt or sugar aimed at children are now banned in or around programmes for under 16s. But that still leaves a lot of loop holes for unscrupulous junk food companies who are determined to reach your kids.

These kinds of ads can undermine your boundaries as a parent. Use the sub-menu on the right to see how they do it.

Helen and her two children, Andrew (age 5) and Becky (age 3)

Photo of Suzi and her girls ""With two children aged three and five, I look at labels to see what's in the food I buy. The problem is when we go to the supermarket. The children beg and plead for sweets and chocolate. It's the wrappers - they're brightly coloured with cartoon characters on, and that makes them want them. Like yogurts - there can be one that is healthier and probably tastes better, but they want the one with Thomas the Tank Engine on instead. It can be really stressful.

I think it's shocking that these companies are allowed to build websites aimed at children. Parents are under enough pressure to buy things already. I suppose government feel they have to see to the interests of food manufacturers, but they should have the courage to support parents in looking after their children's health.

I'm supporting the BHF campaign and signing the petition. I really think advertising aimed at children should be banned altogether."

Helen Lawrenson, Fife, Scotland

Does junk food marketing affect you and your kids? Email us your experiences.