It is always pleasing to see any efforts at improving children’s health and combating the growing problem of child obesity. Therefore it was a positive sign to see this recent article on the BBC website about the voluntary cessation of advertising of junk food aimed at children from a multi-national food giant.
Food giant Unilever has vowed to stop marketing its products to children in order to tackle rising obesity rates.
The firm, which owns brands such as Twister ice cream and Popsicle ice lollies, said it would limit the use of cartoon characters in its advertising. It also promised to stop using social media stars or celebrities "who primarily appeal" to children under 12.
In 2016, 18% of children and adolescents — more than 340 million people aged 5 to 19 — were overweight globally, up from 4% in 1975, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). It says there is "unequivocal evidence" that the marketing of unhealthy foods is related to the problem and recommends that governments limit the reach of such advertising.
Hopefully more companies will follow Unilever’s lead.
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