‘Ban TV ads that turn our kids into junk food addicts’

JUNK food adverts should be banned from TV during shows such as X Factor and live football, says a major charity.

Cancer Research UK says teens who watch commercial TV for three hours a day are more likely to eat hundreds of sugary snacks.

The charity, which commisas sioned the study, is calling on regulator Ofcom to ban junk food ads from breaks in prime-time shows popular with youngsters.

Prof Linda Bauld, of Cancer Research UK, said: “Obese children are five times more likely to remain obese as adults which can increase their risk of cancer later in life. The food industry will continue to push their products into the minds of teens if they’re allowed to do so.

“The Government needs to work with Ofcom to protect the health of the next generation.”

YouGov questioned 3,348 Brits aged 11 to 19 and asked how much BBC and commercial TV they watched. Those in the high exposure group would eat at least 520 more junk food snacks over the course of the year, it was found.

Lead author Dr Jyotsna Vohra said: “This is the strongest evidence yet that junk food adverts could increase how much teens choose to eat.”