An Advertising Ban On Junk Food By Transport For London Has Actually Led To People Eating Healthier

An Advertising Ban On Junk Food By Transport For London Has Actually Led To People Eating Healthier
Mary Madigan
By Mary Madigan



If you need proof that marketing and advertising are effective, then look no further than this UK story.

The Guardian has reported that after Transport for London banned advertising junk food, people are now actually eating healthier – yum!

A study conducted by the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine (LSHTM) has found that the advertising ban has contributed to a 1,000 calorie decrease in unhealthy purchases. Basically, people’s weekly shopping have actually gotten healthier.

The study compared over 1 million weekly grocery shops by households in London and the north of England between 2018 and 2019. The research then found an estimated 1,001 calorie decrease in weekly household shops.

Of course, this confirms two things, advertising and marketing really do work. If you are on the train and starring at a billboard advertising a chocolate bar you are going to feel like a chocolate bar. But it also proves advertising and marketing can be used to help people make better choices.

For instance, the study found that chocolate and confectionery were at a significant 20 per cent decrease.

Dr Amy Yau, the study’s lead author, told The Guardian, “Many governments and local authorities are considering advertising restrictions to reduce consumption of HFSS products as part of obesity prevention strategies.

“However, evidence of the effectiveness of such policies, especially away from broadcast media, is scarce. Our study helps to plug that knowledge gap, showing TfL’s policy is a potential destination for decision-makers aiming to reduce diet-related disease more widely.”

Here at B&T, we are thrilled to know our obsession with Snickers bars isn’t completely our fault!




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