RCPCH join Jamie Oliver in call for celebrity junk food endorsement ban

RCPCH President Dr Hilary Cass joins TV chef Jamie Oliver and Chair of the Academy of Medical Royal Colleges, Professor Terence Stephenson in supporting a call for celebrities to stop endorsing junk food.

President of the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health, Dr Hilary Cass, said:

'We shouldn’t underestimate the fascination that many children and young people have with celebrities; whether that’s teenage girls skipping meals to look like the latest airbrushed magazine model – or boys wanting the same brand boot as their footballing idol.

'Sporting role models in particular can send a powerful message to children when it comes to their health and fitness. Instead of glamorising junk food, they should be using their influence to inspire children and young people to become tomorrow’s top athletes by eating well and leading active lifestyles.

'With celebrity status comes responsibility. So rather than helping to fuel this nation’s growing obesity crisis, these stars can play a key role in helping stem it.'

www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2178600/Jamie-Oliver-condemns-use-sporting-role-models-like-David-Beckham-Gary-Lineker-promote-junk-food.html