Professor Jim Mann, Co-Director of the Edgar Diabetes and Obesity Research Centre (EDOR), has appeared on 1News commenting on the recent UK decision to ban junk food advertising for kids.
The changes will take effect from the 1st October 2025, and will prohibit junk food advertising on television before 9pm, with a total ban for online unhealthy food adverts. This follows the ban on billboard advertising of junk food in the London Underground six years ago.
The UK is making these changes in response to high levels of childhood and adult obesity, which is putting pressure on the health system. Aotearoa New Zealand has the third highest rate of obesity in the OECD and EDOR researchers have been calling for similar bans on junk food advertising for many years.
Professor Mann outlined some of the diseases linked to obesity, such as type 2 diabetes and several forms of cancer. Health organisations in the UK are delighted with the decision to limit junk food advertising and Professor Mann wishes we could have similar policies to protect the health of children in New Zealand:
"Sooner or later politicians will come to the realisation that this is essential - I just hope it's sooner rather than later."
Listen to the news story
Junk food advertising: Kiwi health experts applaud UK approach, 1News website, 14 September, 2024
Read about EDOR's research on junk food advertising to kids
- Children exposed to 554 brands a day, EDOR website, 20 January, 2022
- Kids'Cam reveals extent of kids junk food advertising exposure, EDOR website, 10 October, 2017
- 'Address junk food marketing by banning it', 1News website, 10 October, 2017