The Live Wire

Marketing Junk Food to Children Online

Childhood obesity is a ticking timebomb in the UK and a growing threat to the heart health of the next generation.

Around one in three children in England, Scotland and Wales are overweight or obese and recent figures show the prevalence of obesity among children leaving primary school is increasing. However, efforts to promote a healthy diet among children are being undermined by online promotions for unhealthy food and drinks.

Our new report, 'The 21st Century Gingerbread house: How companies are marketing junk food to children online', exposes how foods high in fat, salt and sugar (HFSS) are being heavily marketed to children online. Websites are employing a variety of techniques to increase their product's appeal to a young audience. As these products cannot be marketed to children on television, we're calling for the same restrictions online.

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