Children the world over are addicted to commercials,which advertise harmful junk foods that cause several health issues in them, according to a World Health Organisation report.
The report – “A Future for the World’s Children?”, commissioned by the WHO, UNICEF and the Lancet, said the junk food culture increased obesity in kids. The marketing practices attracted children to fast food, sugary drinks, tobacco and alcohol.
The report points out kids in several countries are exposed to about 30,000 advertisements on television a year. The exposure only harms the health of the children and the adolescent, the report stressed.
In conclusion, the exposure to commercials of junk food and sugary drinks is closely related to purchase of unhealthy foods. Such a practice leads to overweight and obesity. The report points out that the number of obese children increased from 11 million in 1975 to 124 million in 2016. Subsequently, one of the Commission’s authors Professor Anthony Costello said that there is no self regulation in industries.
In view of the findings, the commission report called for tightening regulation of harmful commercial marketing.
