Responding to media reports suggesting that the Government will ban TV junk food adverts before 9pm as part of its new Obesity Strategy, Professor Dame Parveen Kumar, BMA Board of Science chair, said:

“The BMA has been persistently called for a 9pm watershed on advertising and promotion of junk food and so reports that the Government’s obesity strategy will address this are positive. Successive governments have shied away from effective regulation for far too long.

“Children and young people are overexposed to adverts for foods and drinks high in fat, salt and sugars. Reducing this exposure will be an essential part of any successful obesity strategy.

“However, we have been here in the past where actions have been suggested but not carried out.

“This time we need a firm and sustained commitment from Government to address obesity and poor diet, which underlies many chronic illnesses and puts further pressure on an already overstretched health service.

“We must have a comprehensive and well-resourced strategy to ensure that from now on the health of the nation is made a priority.”