Ban junk food advertising: parents polled

Wednesday, 7 March 2012 2:46 PM

Many pestered parents would back a ban on TV advertising of junk food and sugary snacks before 9pm, new research reveals. Almost half (45%) of parents polled admitted that they do let their child influence them when buying food for the family - with many agreeing that a ban on junk food advertising would make children less likely to resort to ‘pester power’.

The Children's Food Trust commissioned poll found that four in five of the parents questioned believed advertising affects their children’s demands for chocolate. Three-quarters linked TV ads to requests for fast food, such as burgers and crisps. Nearly seven in 10 (69%) parents polled agreed that they could do more to make their child's diet healthier.

"If we're serious about reducing the crippling costs to the NHS of poor diet, we need to get behind parents on this,” said Children's Food Trust chairman Rob Rees. "Parents have such a tough job to encourage their children to eat healthily - and what's clear is that they think there are lots of ways we could make their lives easier.”

Many fast food ads are still shown before 9pm

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Children influenced by fast food advertising

Food adverts do influence children's eating habits

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Junk food adverts lead to consumption among children

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Stressed-out employees 'choose junk food over fruit'

We may be trying to shape up for summer but the stresses and strains of modern life are conspiring against us. A whopping 80% of British workers said they choose junk food such as crisps over healthy alternatives like fruit as a remedy for stress.

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A third of toddlers are overweight, according to parents

Childhood obesity is on the rise in the UK and even parents are not in denial any more. New research found a hird of parents of children under the age of four believe that their child is overweight, but 22% of these parents claimed to be unconcerned.

 junk food

A single junk food meal 'could cause damage to the arteries'

Even just a single junk food meal containing a high level of saturated fat could cause damage to the arteries, according to new research released today.

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