BHF comment
Proposed ban on online junk food adverts is ‘big step forward’
There will be a six-week consultation on Government proposals to restrict online adverts for food and drink products, starting today.
The measure has been put forward by Health and Social Care Secretary Matt Hancock as part of the Government’s new obesity strategy, which was announced earlier this year to help address the country’s obesity crisis.
The consultation launch comes after latest figures showed that the number of Year 6 children living with obesity in England has jumped up after remaining fairly static for the last four years.
Studies have shown that junk food advertising is linked to an increased calorie intake, especially in children.
Making healthier choices easier
The consultation will explore the impact and challenges of introducing a total online ban on advertising junk food products in order to create a healthy environment.The Government consulted on a 9pm watershed on TV junk food adverts last year. It has pledged to respond to both consultations on junk food advertising simultaneously.
Mr Hancock said: “I am determined to help parents, children and families in the UK make healthier choices about what they eat.
“We know as children spend more time online, parents want to be reassured they are not being exposed to adverts promoting unhealthy foods, which can affect eating habits for life.
“This will be a world leading measure to tackle the obesity challenges we face now but it will also address a problem that will only become more prominent in the future.”
Our response
Jacob West, our Executive Director of Healthcare Innovation, said: “Obesity is one of the UK’s greatest public health challenges. Addressing our stubbornly high obesity rates will require complex solutions, but studies have shown again and again that junk food advertising is linked to increased calorie intake, especially in children.“We can’t rely on exercise and willpower alone to fix this public health crisis. People living with obesity are at greater risk of developing heart and circulatory diseases as well as risk factors such as Type 2 diabetes.
“Ending the constant flood of online junk food advertising would be a big step forward in protecting everyone’s health, particularly children. This must be implemented swiftly alongside a 9pm junk food marketing watershed on TV and a comprehensive set of other measures to create a healthy environment.”
FIND OUT HOW TO MANAGE YOUR WEIGHT