“Most food and drink advertising to children promotes unhealthy choices and can lead to poor diets.” A report posted by Reuters recommends that the government should step in if the industry doesn’t act. “Children were a willing audience for the ads. Promotions led children ages 2 to 11 to ask for certain products, and kids aged 4 and younger could not tell the difference between television advertisements and programming”, the report said.

If the government and the industry make the commitment to put our children’s health a priority, it will certainly be a great help to parents. But I think the ultimate power of choice is still at the hands of parents ourselves.

My kids would stay longer at home and watch television more often during Christmas holiday. From my past experience, I usually felt the pressure coming from my kids when they saw some food or drink ads. When they were small they would say, "Oh, that looks yummy. Buy this for me, mommy." I usually answered with a “No”, and added, “it’s not healthy.” Sometimes I just said, “well, it’s a bit expensive.” And end of discussion.

My kids are growing up so they won’t give me pressure anymore when the junk food commercials come up on television. You know what? Sometimes my younger daughter would ask, “Is it healthy?” or “Is it expensive, mom?”

TV ads push junk food, harm kids’ diets [reuters.co.uk]

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