The WHO has released new guidance on protecting children from the negative impact of food marketing. The organization highlights that aggressive marketing of foods high in fats, sugars, and salt influences unhealthy dietary choices among children. Previous calls for responsible marketing practices have been ineffective, leading the WHO to urge governments to implement comprehensive regulations.
The Impact of Unhealthy Food Marketing
Dr. Francesco Branca, Director of the WHO’s Department of Nutrition and Food Safety, emphasizes that aggressive and pervasive marketing of unhealthy foods contributes to poor dietary choices among children. Responsible marketing practices have not made a significant impact on the issue.
Recommendations for Strong Policies
The WHO’s guidance recommends that countries establish mandatory policies to protect children from marketing foods high in saturated fats, trans-fats, sugars, and salt, collectively known as HFSS (High in Fat, Sugar, and Salt) foods. Despite WHO recommendations over a decade ago, young people are still exposed to powerful marketing of HFSS products, which can have detrimental health effects.
Addressing Food Marketing’s Influence
Food marketing poses a threat to public health as it shapes children’s food choices, intended choices, and norms related to food consumption. The WHO’s recommendations are based on a comprehensive review of evidence and call for mandatory policies that cover children of all ages, use a government-led nutrient profile model to classify restricted foods, and have a comprehensive scope. Healthier food options should be made more accessible and affordable.
Creating Supportive Food Environments
The WHO highlights that policies to protect children from harmful food marketing should be part of a broader approach to establishing healthy food environments. Local consultations are crucial for adapting WHO recommendations to specific contexts, with measures in place to prevent conflicts of interest.
Promoting Lifelong Healthy Eating Habits
These guidelines aim to assist governments in creating healthy food environments that promote lifelong healthy eating habits, improve dietary quality, and reduce the risk of noncommunicable diseases worldwide. The WHO emphasizes the importance of fostering an environment conducive to making healthy dietary decisions for the well-being of children.
The WHO’s guidelines on protecting children from unhealthy food marketing stress the need for strong regulations and mandatory policies. Aggressive marketing of unhealthy foods has a significant impact on children’s dietary choices, and comprehensive measures are required to create supportive food environments and promote lifelong healthy eating habits.
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