Growing obesity rates in the UK
Although food and drink advertising may not seem like the number one priority linked with childhood obesity, the infatuation children today have with the internet and social media allows them to be brainwashed by anything and everything they see.
Advertising foods that are high in fats, salt and sugar (HFSS) has indirectly enhanced the growing rates of childhood obesity in the UK, so much so that the Committee of Advertising Practice (CAP) has employed a ban to start from July onwards.
Josie Clarke wrote a piece for the independent on ‘The ban on junk food advertising aimed at children extended to online and social media’, explaining that the ban will put a stop to all advertising of HFSS products across all non-broadcast media that targets under sixteen year olds.
Ofcom’s latest figures showed that in the UK children aged between five and fifteen spend roughly 15 hours a week with their eyes glued to the internet. The growing amount of time kids are spending online has overtaken the time spent watching TV. The ban aims to stop all advertising for unhealthy foods and drinks across all mediums that have 25 or higher percentage of audiences under 16. The Obesity Health Alliance “welcome the long-awaited rules to protect children”, however the ban has been criticised due to the huge ‘loophole’ in the rule; that kids have access to so many more sites and programmes that don’t make up this 25% child audience.
Parents have little knowledge of what will and won’t be covered in the ban because it is very tricky to predict which programmes will fall under this ‘25%’ mark. There is hope that things will become clearer nearer to when the ban will commence in July.
Children’s Food Campaign coordinator Malcolm Clark stated: “CAP has finally listened to the voices of parents and health professionals” and the battle to stop junk food is an ongoing one which needs far more air time than it is given. Health professionals are thrilled that their voice has been heard. With over a fifth of kids overweight or obese by the time they even start primary school it was clear something needed to change, fast.
CAP chairman James Best states “Our tough new rules are a clear demonstration that the ad industry is willing and ready to act on its responsibilities and puts the protection of children at the heart of its work.” The proof will be in the pudding as we expect to see radical changes to the advertising industry in the months to follow. The hope is that by taking out advertising for junk food it leaves room to promote healthy alternatives that kids(hopefully) won’t turn their noses up at!
The Obesity health alliance spokesperson said “research shows advertising greatly influences the food children choose to eat, and with one third of children overweight or obese by their 11th birthday, we need to protect them from relentless junk food marketing in all walks of life”. The shocking fact that one third of kids under 11 are overweight proves just how big a problem junk food has radically become! A stop to marketing foods that are attractive to kids eyes rather than their bodies is essential and the ban in July couldn’t come at a more crucial time!
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