 Too many square meals for today's children? |
It's being called an obesity time bomb - and it's ticking away within our children. Nearly one in ten six year olds in Britain is now classified not just as fat, but clinically obese - that's treble the number of children two decades ago.
For teenagers, the problem is even worse, with 15% of 15 year olds classified as clinically obese.
So - what's making our children so fat? And would tightening the rules on advertising soft drinks, sweets and crisps to children really make a difference?
That's the subject being debated today by government policy chiefs from the Food Standards Agency.
Breakfast debated the role of advertising with Sir John Krebs from the FSA and Hamish Pringle, from the advertising industryWe also heard from a school Breakfast club in South Wales, where they're using fruit and toast to give children a good start to the day | FSA Recommendations Developing advice for food industry on acceptable levels of fat, sugar and salt Providing information on food labelling Free gifts or promotions for healthier foods Address the imbalance in TV advertising to children in favour of healthier options |
The Food Standards Agency is considering a ban on advertising junk food during children's TV programmes.
At the moment, it says, 40% of all children's TV advertising is for food and drink - and most of that is for sweets, soft drinks, fast food and sugary Breakfast cereals.
It says the 'current imbalance must be redressed' and a shift made towards more healthy foods.
The FSA has also said others should follow the BBC's lead and introduce 'nutritional criteria' where children's characters are used in relation to food promotions.
Organisers of sporting events will also be asked only to promote healthy foods, while school and leisure centre vending machines should provide healthy alternatives to soft drink and sweets
Tell us what you think, should the FSA have a say in what your children eat? And is diet alone to blame for children's weight problems?
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