BHF comment
BHF joins calls for Prime Minister to forge ahead with online junk food ad restrictions
Together with over 90 leading health organisations, campaigners and academics, we are calling on the Prime Minister to push ahead with landmark plans to end online junk food advertising.
Last year, Prime Minister Boris Johnson pledged to end online junk food advertising for foods that are high in fat, sugar, or salt as part of an anti-obesity drive.
Eight months on, we and 96 other leading health charities, organisations and experts have signed a letter to the Prime Minister urging him to forge ahead with the proposals, which could protect children from the influence of junk food advertising.
It’s estimated that 30 per cent of children in the UK have a BMI defined as overweight or obese.
Children living with obesity or excess weight are more likely to become adults with obesity, which can affect health in several ways. For example, it can increase the risk of having high blood pressure or high cholesterol, which are both risk factors for heart and circulatory conditions like heart attack or stroke. It can also increase your risk of developing Type 2 diabetes.
Research has shown that seeing just one minute of unhealthy food advertising can lead to children eating an additional 14.2 calories. Eating as little as 46 additional calories every day can lead to excess weight in children. As a result, watching just a few minutes of junk food advertising can have a lasting impact on children’s health.
High rates of obesity and overweight are also linked to poorer outcomes from Covid-19. As the virus recedes, now is the time to address this public health issue as we look to build back better from the pandemic.
As the letter argues, curbing the flood of high fat, sugar and salt food and drink marketing on TV, online and in shops could help to create a healthier environment. We now need to see the Government commit to building a resilient nation by implementing the plans outlined in the Tackling Obesity strategy launched in July 2020 in full.