Should healthy eating be a human right? A new study shows that poorer people in the UK are targeted by the companies that sell junk food.
Junk food is half cost of a good diet
Should healthy eating be a human right? A new study shows that poorer people in the UK are targeted by the companies that sell junk food.
Miriam wants to buy some fresh fruit and vegetables for her children's supper, but she does not have enough money to pay for them. Instead, she will have to get them fast foodEasily-prepared processed foods. . What will it be: fried chicken, pizza or hamburgers?
New research shows that children from the poorest British families eat 20% less fruit and vegetables than those from the richest. They are almost twice as likely to be obeseFor adults, obesity is defined as a Body Mass Index (BMI) of 30 or more. A BMI of 25 or more is classed as overweight..
To make things worse, food and drink companies are targeting the poorest people with their unhealthiest foods. Over 30% of their advertising is for sweets, snacks, puddings and soft drinks. Just 2% of it is for fruit and vegetables.
In England as a whole, a quarter of the places to buy food are takeaways. In the most deprivedNot having the things that are needed for a pleasant or successful life. areas, a third of them are.
Diseases caused by unhealthy foods cost Britain a lot of money - including £67.5bn for the UK's health service, the NHSThe National Health Service, the publicly funded healthcare system in the UK. The NHS was founded in 1948..
In response, the governmentThe group of people who govern - or lead - the country. has said it will ban junk food ads on TV before 9pm and sales of energy drinks to people under 16.
Local councilsGroups of people elected to govern a region, city or town within a country and organise services for it. have also been told not to let fast food chains build new restaurants close to schools. But KFC has challenged these efforts 43 times.
Should healthy eating be a human right?
Yes! We need healthy food just as much as we need clean water, clean air, education and healthcare - if not more. It would also save governments lots of money if people were healthier.
No! This is not a practical idea. For millions of people around the world, just getting enough food to eat is a struggle. Meanwhile, it is all very well banning junk food - but people need to know how to cook healthy meals too.
Fast food - Easily-prepared processed foods.
Obese - For adults, obesity is defined as a Body Mass Index (BMI) of 30 or more. A BMI of 25 or more is classed as overweight.
Deprived - Not having the things that are needed for a pleasant or successful life.
NHS - The National Health Service, the publicly funded healthcare system in the UK. The NHS was founded in 1948.
Government - The group of people who govern - or lead - the country.
Local councils - Groups of people elected to govern a region, city or town within a country and organise services for it.
Junk food is half cost of a good diet

Glossary
Fast food - Easily-prepared processed foods.
Obese - For adults, obesity is defined as a Body Mass Index (BMI) of 30 or more. A BMI of 25 or more is classed as overweight.
Deprived - Not having the things that are needed for a pleasant or successful life.
NHS - The National Health Service, the publicly funded healthcare system in the UK. The NHS was founded in 1948.
Government - The group of people who govern - or lead - the country.
Local councils - Groups of people elected to govern a region, city or town within a country and organise services for it.