More than a third of children in the North East leave primary school obese

Credit: PA

Around 36% of year six children in the North East are obese or overweight, according to latest statistics.

In response, a leading heart charity is calling for a ban on all junk food TV advertising before 9pm.

  • Source: Health & Social Care Information Centre

The move, led by the British Heart Foundation (BHF), is part of the Government's Childhood Obesity Strategy, to help improve children's health.

Current regulations mean that foods high in fat, saturated fat, salt and sugar are banned from being advertised during children's programming.

But the latest Ofcom figures show that 65% of children watch TV during what is considered adult airtime.

The nation's leading heart charity says current regulations are 'failing' families in the North East because they are allowing junk food companies to target children with advertising that would be banned during children's programming.

Mike Hobday, Director of Policy at the BHF, said: "It's worrying that so many children in the North East are obese or overweight. Carrying excess weight into adulthood increases the risk of developing heart disease in later life".