Call to ban junk food adverts

Published on Sunday 13 June 2010 22:14

A COMPLETE ban on junk food advertising could cut Scotland's troubling childhood obesity levels by as much as 14 per cent.

In a new study, Scottish youngsters were among six countries analysed by scientists from Australia, Sweden and the UK, with the conclusion that food advertising has a significant impact on the eating habits of children aged six to 11.

Junk food adverts are connected to "devastating consequences" according to the study's co-author, Dr Emmanuel Stamatakis, of University College London.

He said: "The bottom line is that there is a good chance that television advertising contributes significantly to childhood obesity.

"Even a 7-8 per cent contribution is important given how big the problem is."

Dr Stamatakis claimed there was a "moral imperative" on Scottish ministers to consider banning all adverts aimed at children.