Junk Food Marketing

Restricting the advertising of less healthy food and drink forms as part of our 10-point policy call, following a large body of evidence that suggests exposure in children can influence eating behaviours, preferences, brand loyalty, weight status and more. As a result, we are calling for the protection of children from the advertising and marketing of less healthy food and drink everywhere – this will cover TV, online, sports and outdoors.

Research and Partnerships:

Through our membership of the Obesity Health Alliance, we lobby for further restrictions to the advertising landscape across a wide range of platforms including TV, online, sports and outdoors, as an important measure for reducing childhood obesity.
Check out some of our very own research in this field below, which has helped to strengthen the evidence base, voice the concerns of parents and inform consultation responses.

‘On-Pack Promotions’ on Less Healthy Food and Drink

On-pack promotions’ on Less Healthy Food and Drink: A Fieldwork Report uncovers the extent of on-pack promotions found on food and drink products across the 6 major UK supermarkets.

Kicking Out Junk Food: Sports sponsorship and a better deal for health

Kicking Out Junk Food documents how 2021’s ‘Summer of Sport’ was used by the food and drink industry to deluge families with marketing, advertising and sports personality-led promotions for pizzas, burgers, chocolate, crisps and fizzy drinks. produced in collaboration with the Children’s Food Campaign.

Pester Power or Parent Power?

Gathering parents views on the use of child-friendly characters on food and drink packaging, produced in collaboration with the Children’s Food Campaign.

Taking down junk food ads

A report showcasing how local authorities are taking action on outdoor junk food advertising, produced in collaboration with Sustain.

Position statement: Outdoor advertising of junk food

Our position statement examining the current evidence base, policy context and outlining our position and what we will do to address the issue.

Position statement: Junk food marketing to children

Our position statement examining the current evidence base, policy context and outlining our position and what we will do to address the issue.

Parents perceptions of junk food marketing to children

Understanding parents in the North West’s views on the impact of junk food marketing to children, and appetite for policy change, carried out with the Children’s Food Campaign.

ABOUT US

Find out more about the Food Active team and the Food Active Network

What we Do

Find out more about our programme of work and our priorities

Policy Change

Explore our work on influencing policy both locally and nationally

Campaigns

Discover our range of campaigns to promote behaviour change

Research

Find out more about our research to understand and explore the food environment

Events

Get up to speed with our past conferences and events programme