Eating disorders are a priority public health problem, and especially is childhood obesity, which has multiplied by 10 in the last 40 years, so much so that it is already considered the "epidemic of the 21st century." Are required effective measures to promote healthy eating habits among children, and some countries are already taking important steps.
The last to join was Portugal, where the health authorities have launched a measure, which will come into effect from October, to end advertising aimed at children under 16 years of unhealthy products, such as cookies, milkshakes , breakfast cereals and certain yogurts.
Products that cannot be advertised on social networks, screens, radio and television
The General Directorate of Health (DGS) of Portugal published last July the report "Nutritional profile: restrictions on food advertising aimed at children". In this document, from a technical and scientific point of view, the Nutritional characteristics of various foods and beverages, in order to restrict advertising to minors of those products that compromise healthy eating.
In Babies and more The OCU requires a specific regulation of children's food advertising as a measure to fight against obesityTotal A sample of 2,498 products from various food categories was analyzed, which are most often consumed by Portuguese children. These categories were: breakfast cereals, chocolates, milk shakes, vegetable drinks, yogurts, cheese, fruits and vegetables, processed foods, oils and fats, sweet and savory biscuits, fruit juices and soft drinks.
After applying the recommendations of the WHO regarding healthy nutritional profile, and taking into account the commitments assumed in Portugal in this same line, the DGS has decided to ban the advertising of foods with a high energy value, salt, sugar, saturated fatty acids and trans fats.The measure, which will enter into force next October, will affect the advertising of the following food products aimed at children under 16:
- 100% milk shakes
- 100% of cookies
- 100% of packaged juices
- 95% of refrigerated products (including soft drinks)
- 90% of breakfast cereals
- 80% of the cheeses
- 70% of yogurts
- 70% of vegetable drinks
- 60% of processed fruit and vegetable snacks
- The advertising of other products such as chocolate, chocolates, cakes and energy bars will be limited if they exceed 40 kcal, 5 grams of sugar or 1.5 grams of saturated fatty acids per 100 grams of product.
Affected products may not be advertised on screens, social networks, radio and television. With this measure, The Portuguese authorities hope to combat the child consumption of certain unhealthy products, associated with the development of chronic diseases, such as obesity and cardiovascular diseases.
The DGS is aware that strict monitoring will be necessary so that the measure has the desired impact and improves the eating habits of children and youth. In addition, it expects food companies to develop social responsibility codes and understand the importance of complying with this law.
Fight against childhood obesity and health problems associated with eating unhealthy foods
There is no doubt that we are all influenced by advertising when buying, but this influence is especially greater in children, who find it easy to attract with catchy songs, fun drawings on the original packaging or gifts.
But obesity and the health problems associated with the consumption of this type of food are constituting a problem of alarming dimensions in many countries, and it is necessary that everyone, from school and family, to institutions and governments get involved to solve it.
In Babies and more Back to school without pastries or processed: they ask for the elimination of advertising that promotes childhood obesityPortugal is not the first country to take measures to combat child overweight. The Netherlands also announced measures to reduce obesity, and its capital has become a benchmark for the city involved in the healthy eating of children. The United Kingdom also recently announced that it was studying the possibility of banning the sale of energy drinks to children under 16, and the sale of sweets in supermarket boxes.
Regarding our country, Health announced months ago a package of measures to combat obesity, which also included the regulation of children's food advertising. In addition, some autonomous communities have already begun to take important steps in this line, such as Andalusia or the Balearic Islands, whose proposals have focused on instilling healthy eating from schools and school canteens.
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