Junk food warning

Website warns kids about marketing methods used for fatty foods

The Food Commission has called on teachers and parents to help in the fight against childhood obesity and poor diets.

It follows a report from Which? that highlights 40 ways in which kids are being targeted by marketing for junk foods, using sophisticated techniques that many parents are unaware.

Marketers are using techniques that fly under the radar of parental control, using
technologies to build direct relationships with children, said Kath Dalmeny of the Food Commission.

She said that many firms are using the internet, interactive games and mobile phones to push fatty, salty and sugary foods on children.

Responding to growing concerns about childhood obesity, the Food Commission Research Charity has launched a new website designed to inform young teenagers about junk foods and the methods used to market them.

Chew on This (www.chewonthis.org.uk) is aimed at children aged 11 to 14 years old and takes a no-nonsense approach to telling kids about the health implications of a diet high in fat, salt and sugar, and warns of the lack of useful information on food labels.

It also reveals how much is spent on advertising junk food and encourages children to ask why film-stars, celebrities and cartoon characters are used to help to promote unhealthy products to children.