UK implements strict fast food ad ban to combat obesity crisis

The UK government is taking serious measures to combat obesity. A new law pushed by the Labour Party will come into effect this year.

The World Health Organization (WHO) states that approximately 20 percent of people worldwide suffer from obesity. The main causes of the condition are improper nutrition and lack of physical activity. It is also worth noting that other factors can significantly influence weight, such as comorbidities and stress.

It is estimated that 63.7 percent of the United Kingdom's population is overweight. According to the Our World in Data Report, this is the highest rate in Europe and 30th in the world, conducted on a sample of 128.9 million people from 195 countries between 1975 and 2016.

The Labour Party, which won the UK parliamentary elections in July, intends to end childhood obesity. It has announced that it is implementing programs designed to prevent weight gain. The first changes will take effect in October.

The Labour Party is indeed getting to work. The new law banning unhealthy food advertisements on TV will come into effect in the United Kingdom on October 25. From then on, fast food ads will only be allowed to air after 9:00 PM, similar to alcohol advertisements. However, that's not all: politicians also propose a complete ban on online fast food advertising. Will these restrictions on the visibility of "junk" food aid in the fight against obesity?

Internet users have doubts, pointing out that 9:00 PM is the perfect time to succumb to temptation and order food prompted by an aired advertisement. They also suggest that instead of imposing restrictions on large corporations, local food producers should be supported so that vegetables and fruits are cheaper than processed food.