ONLINE JUNK FOOD ADS: COULD A BAN CUT OBESITY?
BBC Focus - Science & Technology|January 2021
The UK government has proposed a ban on internet ads for junk food. Could it improve the nation’s health?
DR GILES YEO
ONLINE JUNK FOOD ADS: COULD A BAN CUT OBESITY?

On 10 November 2020, the UK government launched a consultation for a total ban on online adverts for ‘junk’ food. The proposed rules, following on from a broader antiobesity strategy published earlier in the year, surprised many for being far tougher than expected. All of this sound and fury, after years of relative inaction, was thought to have resulted from Prime Minister Boris Johnson experiencing a Damascene conversion after he caught COVID-19. He blamed the severity of his symptoms on his elevated weight.

Obesity is indeed one of the biggest public health crises the UK faces, with almost two-thirds of adults either overweight or living with obesity. Crucially, one-third of children leave primary school overweight or with obesity, making them more likely to become adults carrying excess weight.

What the pandemic has crystallised for many, including our PM, is that living with obesity increases your risk of a number of different diseases, infectious or otherwise. Hence this far-reaching proposed ban on all online adverts promoting ‘junk’ food high in fat, sugar and salt (HFSS), with the explicit aim of helping protect children from developing long-term unhealthy eating habits.

This story is from the January 2021 edition of BBC Focus - Science & Technology.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.

This story is from the January 2021 edition of BBC Focus - Science & Technology.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.

MORE STORIES FROM BBC FOCUS - SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGYView All
CAN YOU REALLY TARGET BELLY FAT FOR WEIGHT LOSS?
BBC Science Focus

CAN YOU REALLY TARGET BELLY FAT FOR WEIGHT LOSS?

There's a lot of advice about exactly what you should do to shift that spare tyre around your waist. Does any of it add up?

time-read
4 mins  |
March 2024
COME OUT OF YOUR SHELL
BBC Science Focus

COME OUT OF YOUR SHELL

Social anxiety is more than just being shy. It's a phobia born out of our evolutionary past. But that raises a puzzling question: why do so many of us fear human interaction when we're supposed to be the most sociable species on the planet?

time-read
8 mins  |
March 2024
Google Gemini: Could this be the ChatGPT killer?
BBC Science Focus

Google Gemini: Could this be the ChatGPT killer?

Google is working on a model to take on OpenAl. But is it good enough?

time-read
4 mins  |
March 2024
PROSTATE CANCER: WHY MORE SCREENING DOESN'T ALWAYS HELP
BBC Science Focus

PROSTATE CANCER: WHY MORE SCREENING DOESN'T ALWAYS HELP

Not all prostate tumours are aggressive and treating them can have side effects. So what's the best course of action?

time-read
3 mins  |
March 2024
DIGITAL HEALTHCARE: ARE THE MOST IN NEED BEING EXCLUDED?
BBC Science Focus

DIGITAL HEALTHCARE: ARE THE MOST IN NEED BEING EXCLUDED?

Tech is being used to make it easier for people to access healthcare services. But it's not working for everyone

time-read
3 mins  |
March 2024
WELCOME TO THE EXTRAORDINARY WORLD OF QUANTUM FIELD THEORY
BBC Science Focus

WELCOME TO THE EXTRAORDINARY WORLD OF QUANTUM FIELD THEORY

This beautiful language of cosmic vibrations is helping scientists further understand the origins of the Universe

time-read
3 mins  |
March 2024
WHY ATHLETIC GENES DON'T GUARANTEE GOLD MEDALS
BBC Science Focus

WHY ATHLETIC GENES DON'T GUARANTEE GOLD MEDALS

Sporty parents are only part of the puzzle when it comes to making an Olympic champion

time-read
3 mins  |
March 2024
THE RETURN OF INFECTIOUS DISEASES
BBC Science Focus

THE RETURN OF INFECTIOUS DISEASES

With measles, plague and cholera all rearing their heads again, are we seeing an unprecedented level of disease re-emergence? And what would it take to start another pandemic?

time-read
4 mins  |
March 2024
MONEY MIGHT BE UNRELATED TO HAPPINESS, SAYS NEW STUDY
BBC Science Focus

MONEY MIGHT BE UNRELATED TO HAPPINESS, SAYS NEW STUDY

Research suggests overlooked Indigenous people with low or no income may be happiest of all

time-read
2 mins  |
March 2024
STUDY REVEALS WHICH DOGS ARE LIKELY TO LIVE THE LONGEST
BBC Science Focus

STUDY REVEALS WHICH DOGS ARE LIKELY TO LIVE THE LONGEST

The size and head shape of your dog can give you clues as to how long they'll be around

time-read
2 mins  |
March 2024