Our 2018 audit of 90 buses on designated school bus routes, in Sydney NSW, found 72% of food and drink advertisements on school buses were promoting unhealthy products and only one food advertisement featured fresh fruit.
Most frequent junk food advertisements were for fast food meals and sugary drinks.
Junk food advertising is like wallpaper in our lives and our children’s lives too. Dr Jenny Norman and Associate Professor Bridget Kelly tell us about their studies to show what effect junk food advertising has on our children.
Young children are seeing unhealthy food and drink brands on YouTube through kid influencers. These influencers, as young as 3 years old, generate millions of likes while interacting with unhealthy branded items, particularly fast food and confectionery.
Children are exposed to up to 2800 junk food ads every year on their way to and from school, according to Cancer Council NSW and University of Wollongong research.
The UK government has announced a ban on the advertising of foods high in fat, sugar or salt (HFSS) being shown on TV before 9pm and online. This is an important step forward in protecting children from the effects of junk food marketing. The evidence that unhealthy food marketing influences children’s food choices is strong yet worldwide governments have been hesitant to step in and protect children.
Ten years on from the introduction of self-regulation junk foods continue to be advertised to children.
Let's stop junk food advertisers targeting our kids. We'll email you campaign updates and opportunities to get involved.
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