England Calling for a Junk Food Ad Ban - Should the US?

With the dramatic rise in obesity in the US, health officials are constantly evaluating approaches to combat the problem. Obesity affects over two thirds of Americans, resulting in increased risk of heart disease, type 2 diabetes, certain cancers and neurological diseases. Authorities in the UK are considering a number of options to ban the advertising of junk foods at various times, mostly associated with marketing to children, such as during pre-school programs, or for shows targeted at kids under 10 years of age or even all programming prior to 9pm. However, some argue that these proposals do not protect older citizens. Between 80-90% of ad programming in the UK is for junk food.

Americans are battling the same problem, but is it the ads or lifestyle factors? Most experts agree that inactivity contributes to the bulk of obesity in the US. Sitting in front of the TV doesn't do much for weight loss and healthy weight maintenance. Perhaps limiting TV exposure is a better option. Parents seem to be the best role model for children, so working together as a family to combat obesity is likely a more successful approach. In fact, the American Obesity Association recommends these ways to create an active environment:

1. Make time for the entire family to participate in regular physical activities that everyone enjoys. Try walking, bicycling or rollerblading.

2. Plan special active family-outings such as a hiking or ski trip.

3. Start an active neighborhood program. Join together with other families for group activities like touch-football, basketball, tag or hide-and-seek.

4. Assign active chores to every family member such as vacuuming, washing the car or mowing the lawn. Rotate the schedule of chores to avoid boredom from routine.

5. Enroll your child in a structured activity that he or she enjoys, such as tennis, gymnastics, martial arts, etc.

6. Instill an interest in your child to try a new sport by joining a team at school or in your community.

7. Limit the amount of TV watching.