Childhood obesity: government’s plan targets energy drinks and junk food advertising

Banning the sale of energy drinks to children, encouraging primary school pupils to run a mile a day, and restricting junk food advertising are some of the new measures outlined in chapter 2 of the government’s childhood obesity plan.1

In a bid to halve childhood obesity by 2030 the government plans to prevent shops from displaying food high in fat, sugar, and salt at checkouts or including it in “two for one” promotions.

It will also consult on forcing restaurants, cafes, and takeaways to include calorie labelling on their menus, as well as new restrictions on television and online advertising. This could result …