From the BMJ 3 July and 21 August 21
Advertisements for unhealthy food and drink will be banned before the 9pm watershed by the end of 2023 in television and on demand programmes in the UK.
Chris Thomas, a research fellow at the Institute for Public Policy would have liked to have seen measures going further, by taxation of these foods. He says that money raised could be used to fund free nutritious food for those who need it. This improves both health and the economy.
In the USA, children get two thirds of their energy intake from ultra processed foods. The proportion of calories from such food is rising steadily. In 1999 it was 61.4% and in 2018 it was 67%. As the amount of wholesome, home cooked food reduces, the levels of childhood obesity increase. Ready meals are responsible for 11.2%, and sweet snacks 12.9%. The trend is now reducing for sugary drinks, sauces and oils.
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My thoughts (and Eddie's too) are, surely it is best to eat whole fresh food from the farm or the sea. It seems the junk masquerading as food, coming out of factories has played a huge role in the epidemics of obesity and the often linked type two diabetes.
But what are your thoughts/views, please share them in the comments.
All the best Jan
...junk food is a part of many families lives!
ReplyDeleteCutting back hours it can be advertised is a good start.
ReplyDeletegood for the UK!
ReplyDeleteI cannot see this being implemented in North America, the politics, the powerful junk food companies...
DeleteFood companies have way more cash than healthy food like fruits and veggie advertisers. Sadly!
ReplyDeleteNo lo creo pero tal vez ayude te mando un beso
ReplyDeleteit surely can't hurt!!!
ReplyDeleteJunk food (while still available) wasn't part of our lives growing up. My parents simply said no.
ReplyDeleteThe answer to your question is "no". The problem is on the high street with too many junk food shops offering ready food at cheap prices and lazy parents who can't cook/wont cook. Its the junk food shops that need closing down but of course that will never happen.
ReplyDeleteI doubt that banning advertising will have much effect. I'm not sure what the answer is but junk food has become a way of life for many.
ReplyDeleteHealthy food is very nice, I like so much
ReplyDeleteI agree with you Jan, the way they (factory) mass produce things, that is obscene. Thanks Jan.
ReplyDeleteI think too many people rely on junk food, and many kids eat nothing else! Valerie
ReplyDeleteIt is a good idea, processed foods are not good for anyone.
ReplyDeleteI am sure the cost and the ease of eating junk food is a problem too.
Take care, have a happy day!
I do think it'd make some difference. I use sweet cereals for desserts sometimes, so I've found a place for junk food in my diet. Targeting kids, though, as many of these ads do is a good thing to avoid imo
ReplyDeleteI would agree with you. Processed foods can be useful but certainly not the best option and definitely less healthy. Junk foods are a fun "treat" but not a good diet!
ReplyDeleteBravo!
ReplyDeleteIt is unsettling to see the lengths companies go to for sales of food they know does nothing for physical health. It is like state sponsored lottery...buy lottery tickets...and oh by the way, here's a number to call for gambling addiction.
Good idea! The fight against junk food has to start somewhere, somehow. Small but steady steps.IIn a way, it's like with the ban on tobacco in New Zealand.
ReplyDeleteIt is so true that junk food ads reach out to the kids. I didn't serve junk food to my kids when they growing up and, as a result, only one of my 4 kids turned into a junk food junkie. The sad thing is-junk food is cheaper than living a whole food diet.
ReplyDeleteWell said..I doubt that banning advertising will help much..We are kind of addicted to quick and easy..Enjoy the rest of your week..
ReplyDeleteFrom the BMJ: "In June 2021, the UK prime minister announced plans for a ban on advertising of food and drinks that are high in fat, salt, or sugar across all forms of digital media and before 9 pm on television. The ban is due to come into effect in 2023."
ReplyDeleteFat and salt are necessary nutrients!
The article also mentions the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act here in the US--but doesn't mention that a million kids stopped buying school lunches and tons of fruit and vegetables went straight from cafeteria trays into the trash.
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2574157/More-1-MILLION-students-expressed-dislike-certain-foods-stopped-buying-school-lunches-Michelle-Obamas-overhaul-government-report.html
Maybe I'm a minority of one here, but given the past two years--heck the past 50 years, I'd rather the government stop trying to meddle in diet and health.
I think some people rely on Junk food because it is easy and convenient for families where both people work. A little effort though would make such a big difference in eating healthy.
ReplyDeleteWhen Obama was in office, his wife initiated a healthy food plan. However, when parents both work full time, it's easy to open a can of ravioli, plop it in the microwave and call it a meal. Also, food banks often get canned goods donated that are laden with unhealthy ingredients. You seldom, if ever, see a food bank that has healthy foods like bananas, avocados, etc. The fact so many people still rely on food banks in the states, I somehow doubt banning ads will do much good. It is MY belief, if we are serious about this, find a family, preferably military (in the states), and put together a care package of fresh fruits and veggies. It shows you care and it eases their food bill, too.
ReplyDeleteI think you/they are so right about the processed foods. Plus, I don't think kids play outside like they used to.
ReplyDeleteJan - I think it's worth a try.
ReplyDeleteI agree with many of the comments above. Stressed and overworked and underpaid parents take the easiest and the cheapest route. That is what we need to address.
It is indeed best to eat fresh food. But I am not confident that a government agency will know what is actually unhealthy. There are still a lot of people who think consuming fat is unhealthy.
ReplyDeleteIt is scary the rubbish they put into our food these days :-| I think the parents need more education and making fresh fruit and veg cheaper too. I mean, you go to the supermarket and ready meals are like £1 each yet fruit cost a fortune! And sadly lots of people on low incomes up here too :-(
ReplyDeleteLa Dieta Mediterránea es una de las mejores del mundo, tiene muchas legumbres, verdura, frutas, todo muy natural. Besos.
ReplyDeleteI agree, what kids don't know is out there, they won't be able to beg for.
ReplyDeleteAt least they will get a good start in eating if they don't start life out eating junk
I think that anything we can do to steer people, especially children, towards healthy food is beneficial to society as a whole in terms of increased energy levels and reduced health care costs. If you read the ingredients on some processed foods, you start to wonder whether it is actually food or merely a chemical concoction.
ReplyDeleteVery informative and inspiring post ~ Healthy food choices , of course, are the best
ReplyDelete~ Xo
Wishing you happy times,
A ShutterBug Explores,
aka (A Creative Harbor