Stephen Morgan MP and local busines join campaign to ban direct junk food advertising to children to help end obesity crisis
Portsmouth South MP, Stephen Morgan, this week followed up joining Parliamentary colleagues and Jamie Oliver’s team to press the Government to ban online and television advertising for junk food targeted at children by launching a campaign in Portsmouth.
The UK has one of the worst childhood obesity rates in Western Europe. More than third of 10-11-year olds are either overweight or obese. Without drastic change, half of all UK children are set to be obese or overweight by 2020. Obesity figures among the adult population are even worse.
This obesity crisis is costing the NHS dearly. We spend about £6 billion on the medical costs of related conditions and further £10 billion treating diabetes.
The campaign says that part of the problem is advertising. Specifically that targeted at young audiences most vulnerable to them.
Stephen Morgan MP, said:
‘Children are being bombarded with junk food adverts on telly, online, on buses, trains, and even when they are just walking down the street.
If the government are serious about tackling obesity they’ve got to tackle this sooner rather than later”.
Jamie Oliver added:
“It’s time we put child health first. I’m calling for the government to introduce a 9pm watershed on junk food advertising on TV, and for proper controls on what ads kids see online, in the street and on public transport.
Currently, there’s nothing to protect our kids from seeing these adverts – apart from covering their eyes! It’s high time we make it easier for children to make good decisions.”
Daniel Nowland, a member of Jamie’s Food Team and owner of the new Southsea Deli on Victoria Road North has joined forces with Stephen to promote the campaign.
Daniel Nowland said:
“The benefits of a healthy and sustainable diet are enormous for children and adults alike. My new deli in the heart of Southsea prides itself on responsibly sourced local fresh produce, helping residents in Portsmouth eat better.
I’m fully behind Jamie Oliver’s AdEnough campaign backed by our local MP Stephen Morgan.
It was a pleasure to help launch the Portsmouth campaign here at my local business”.
