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The United Kingdom government is making a significant effort to combat childhood obesity. Starting in October 2025, children in the United Kingdom will no longer be exposed to junk food ads on TV before 9 pm or through paid online advertisements.
The ban will restrict adverts promoting foods high in fat, sugar, or salt during times and platforms where children are most likely to see them. This action by the government is to reduce children’s excessive exposure to junk food marketing and combat rising rates of obesity-related illnesses like diabetes and heart disease.
According to NHS data, almost 1 in 10 reception-aged children are living with obesity, and by age 5, nearly 1 in 5 have tooth decay caused by high sugar consumption. If left unchecked, this trend could set up today’s children for a lifetime of serious health issues, including cancer, heart disease, and the potential for limited economic opportunities due to poor health.
Obesity is the second biggest preventable cause of cancer and a leading factor in chronic illnesses that reduce quality of life. By targeting advertising—a major influence on children’s eating habits—the government is taking direct aim at a root cause of the problem.
The new restrictions are expected to:
Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, Wes Streeting, stressed that this legislation is about giving every child the best possible start in life. “Obesity robs our kids of the best possible start in life, sets them up for a lifetime of health problems, and costs the NHS billions,” he stated.
This initiative is part of a broader strategy aimed at preventing health issues instead of solely addressing them after they arise. This aligns with the upcoming 10-Year Health Plan, set to be published by the government in spring 2025.
The government has launched change.nhs.uk, an online platform inviting NHS staff, patients, and the public to share ideas and experiences to improve the healthcare system. Over one million people have already contributed to the conversation on the portal which will be live until spring 2025.
Source: GOV.UK
