Junk food advertising facing backlash

Fresh calls have been made to restrict junk food advertising as rates of childhood obesity rise in regional and rural areas.

Federal MP Sophie Scamps is introducing a Private Members Bill calling for time restrictions on the harmful advertising on TV and radio, and an outright ban on social media.

Ms Scamps says we need to build healthy environments for children to flourish in, and protecting them from junk food advertising is one way to achieve that.

As a former GP and emergency doctor, she has the support of leading health groups and parents as figures show one quarter of children are overweight or obese – increasing to one third in regional areas.