Young people tell Instagram influencers to stop promoting junk food. ‘Junk food is being given a starring role in our minds by people like you, and our health is at risk as a result’

Young people have written an open letter to social media influencers urging them to stop promoting fast food on platforms like Instagram because it is endangering children’s health.

The letter – exclusively shared with i – is from a new youth-led anti-childhood obesity campaign called Bite Back 2030.

It says: “Junk food is being given a starring role in our minds by people like you, and our health is at risk as a result.

“We want you to pledge to stop posting ads for fast food online.Food companies are lobbying against the 9pm watershed on fast food adverts (Photo: Dominic Lipinski/PA Wire)

‘Paid to promote a lie’

“It’s not right that you’re paid to promote a lie when you have the power to tell the truth.

“We are asking you to use your influence to have a positive impact on thousands of young people; to use your stories to put healthy eating in the spotlight.”

Bite Back 2030 say that the influencer marketing sector is worth as much $10bn, with food being the second most active industry in the field.

But with 3.3 million UK children already obese or overweight by the age of 11, much of the food promoted by influencers to young people is unhealthy, the campaign argues.

Gigi Hadid

According to one study, children who saw popular vloggers with sugary and fatty snacks went on to eat 26 per cent more calories than those who did not.

Influencers who have promoted fast food include the model Gigi Hadid, who attracted criticism this year after she posted an Instagram post sponsored by McDonalds.

One influencer who is backing the Bite Back 2030 campaign is Dr Alex George, who shot to fame on ITV’s Love Island in 2018 and has since appeared as a TV doctor on Good Morning Britain.

Dr George, who has 1.3 million followers on Instagram, told i that unhealthy food advertising is “all over” influencers’ social media profiles.

Source: https://inews.co.uk/news/education/instagram-influencers-junk-food-health-at-risk-863799