In Germany, about every sixth child is overweight or even obese or obese.
Politicians now want to counteract this with a ban.
Berlin – The tendency of overweight children in Germany is increasing.
Today it is even one in five children aged eleven to 13 who is slightly or very overweight.
“Children are tempted by unhealthy foods every day.
This encourages unhealthy eating patterns in childhood and can have a negative impact on health throughout life,” explains Dr.
Carola Reimann, Chairwoman of the Board of Directors of the AOK Federal Association.
Reduce obesity in children: German politicians rely on this ban
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Since Corona, the proportion of overweight children has increased massively.
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Studies show that the proportion of overweight children and young people has increased significantly since the corona pandemic.
According to a study, the number of overweight children has risen by more than 40 percent within a year in the Hanover region alone.
A comprehensive study by the University of Leipzig also makes this worrying development clear: In the first few months of the Covid pandemic, the body weight of the children examined in Central Germany increased 30 times as fast as in previous years.
Overweight children: German politicians are planning a ban on advertising
The AOK Federal Association, the Federal Association of Consumer Organizations (vzbv) and the German Alliance for Non-Communicable Diseases (DANK) are now calling for comprehensive advertising restrictions for unhealthy foods to protect children and young people.
In a published, joint position paper, the interest group advocates that TV and radio advertising in question should be banned between 6 a.m. and 11 p.m.
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At best, advertising for unhealthy food by influencers should no longer be accessible to children and young people.
Poster advertising should only be shown within a 100-metre ban mile around daycare centers, schools and playgrounds.
Reduce obesity: advertising ban for children's and family programs between 6 a.m. and 11 p.m
Studies on media use by three to 13-year-olds have shown that children and young people consume media particularly in this period of time – between 6 a.m. and 11 p.m.
However, the older the children are, the less relevant traditional children's programs become, so the advertising ban must also apply to media formats for families.
The SPD, Greens and FDP had agreed in the coalition agreement to restrict advertising for foods with a high sugar, fat and salt content in order to protect children.
In view of the frightening numbers, the traffic light coalition is now planning to implement the advertising ban.
To protect children: TV advertising ban for unhealthy food
The Federal Association of Paediatricians BVKJ welcomes this decision to finally stop advertising for unhealthy food aimed at children.
"Even before the start of the corona pandemic, every seventh child in Germany was overweight.
For about two years we have been observing a significant increase in body weight in children in the practices.
The obesity epidemic has escalated!
Advertising bans and the promotion of a healthy diet are therefore more important than ever."
Thomas Fischbach, President of the BVKJ.
Healthy foods that meet the recommendations of the World Health Organization (WHO) should be exempt from the bans.
This article only contains general information on the respective health topic and is therefore not intended for self-diagnosis, treatment or medication. In no way does it replace a visit to the doctor. Unfortunately, our editors are not allowed to answer individual questions about clinical pictures.
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