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Updated 22 March 2004, 11.16 
More than 100 health groups are trying to get junk food ads banned to stop them targeting children.
But the government doesn't think it would make any difference and blame lack of exercise as the main cause of obesity in one in 10 kids in the UK.
So, do YOU think adverts for junk food should be banned?
Perhaps you think that people who want to eat junk will do it anyway?
Or do you agree that exercise is the key to the battle against obesity?
Whatever you think, e-mail and let us know.
Unfortunately this topic is now closed but there are Comments pages on other subjects on the main Chat index.
 I don't think the ban is the best idea, but what will work is healthier food being more widely advertised and it being more affordable at schools. And less celebs on fast food adverts, to many people look up to them. Richard, 15, Cheltenham
I don't think junk food adverts should be banned, however, I do think there should be less of them. In a way junk food is like drugs - you become addicted. Regular exercise is important but so is what you eat. Imogen, 12, Stockton-on-Tees
I think junk food adverts should be banned, and schools should be given the equipment they need to help people lose weight, and stay that way. Edward, 10, Reading
I don't think junk food adverts should be banned because kids are still going to eat fatty foods at home, school and at restaurants anyway. And I think that as long as we get good exercise it shouldn't matter anyway. Kimberley, 13, Dover
I used to love junk food and the adverts almost forced me into buying it. I became veggie for a year and am now healthy and have lost weight. Jamie, 12, Middlesbrough
I think junk food adverts are one of the main reasons so many people are overweight in the UK, but lack of exercise plays a major part in this too. Francesca, 10, Lechlade
I don't think junk food advertising should be banned because I eat junk food and so do my friends, but we're not fat because we do a lot of sports as well - so it's about getting the balance right! Lauren, 13, London
I don't think that junk food adverts should be banned, as they do not influence the way we eat junk food. I weigh 15 stone and I know I am over weight but it is not due to the adverts. Darren, 15, Woking
Banning advertising won't change anything, as almost every town has one or two McDonalds or Burger Kings, which people go to a lot. Anyway, it's not junk food's fault for obesity, we've all been warned - some people just made the wrong decision, or didn't think. Becky, 12, Northwich
I think people eat junk food because it tastes good not because of advertising. Big companies don't have any idea what children notice about an advert. Jenny, 12, Dundee
People should have the choice about what they eat but I think that some adverts are aimed at younger children and they just follow that and they end up addicted to junk food. Hayley, 13, Sunderland
I don't think they should because it doesn't make a difference if they advertise it or not, we will still eat it and most kids do get lots of exercise anyway. Emma, 10, York
Junk food ads are a big problem because people are conned into thinking that these foods are great and whereas cigarettes carry health warnings, junk food doesn't. Also, children don't get enough education about sport and healthy eating, and school canteens always have things like pizza and chips, which isn't helping. Verity, 13, Aylesbury
I think it's your own fault if you eat to much or don't exercise as much as you should - if you do these things I think you should be able to eat whatever you want as long as you stick to keeping healthy. Daniel, 12, Scunthorpe
I think that it doesn't really matter if they ban junk food adverts, because people can make up their own minds up if they want to get fat or not! It is like saying to stop smoking, but people know they could get cancer but still do it! Amy, 13, Wellington
I don't think junk food averts should be banned because it won't stop us from eating junk food. I think the government should put up more exercise adverts and to advertise healthy food more. I love exercising like doing swimming but because I go to school 5 days a week by the time I get home it is too late to go swimming so I can only go on Saturday and Sunday! Justine, 13, Sunderland
I think junk food should be allowed as long as people eat the right amount, don't go over-board and exercise Liam, 11, Northwich
I think we should stop advertising junk food and start advertising healthy food. Hannah, 12, Birmingham
Sometimes junk food adverts do make me want to buy it, but I think that fruit prices should be put down, because it is expensive and that's why I don't buy it. Kelly, 15, Ashford
I don't think the adverts should be banned because they aren't the ones provoking us to eat junk food, they're just offering. It should be us deciding on whether we want to eat healthily or not! Alysha, 13, Ilford
I think that adverts are not to blame. If people want to eat junk food - then they will, and no one is to stop them. Lack of exercise is increasing by the day and if you're not willing to keep fit then prepare to be overweight. Phoebe,14, Richmond
If advertising is banned it won't make much of a difference to the people that eat junk food anyway! Chris, 11, Shipley
I think it should be banned because the more junk food is shown the more you just want to eat it. Toni, 10, Bristol
I don't think that junk food should be banned but I do think that they should bring down the amount of salt and sugar in the products. I also think that to buy healthier is more expensive so people should cut the prices on them. Fay, 12, Burwell
I don't think it will make a difference. I watch adverts like that day after day, but I hardly ever eat it. I think exercise and self-control on your own part is the only way to keep healthy. Sarah, 11, Bridgnorth
I think they should ban junk food adverts or at least put them on when adults watch T.V not kids or children will get their parents to buy the food and they may get fat. Helena, 10, Hexham
I think banning the ads won't make any difference - people will still by chocolate whether it's advertised or not! Anna, 12, Southampton
The adverts shouldn't be banned...people are just more lazy than they used to be, which means lack of exercise, leading to people getting overweight. Ross, 14, Herts
I think they should let us eat what we want. it's our lives. even f they do stop the adds they can't stop us eating junk food. girls worry about there wait and are careful. so what's the harm? Hannah, 12, Gillingham
I think advertising should be allowed. they are not responsible for people getting fat because people have a choice whether to eat fast food or not. people are responsible for getting themselves fat! Daniel, 14, Aylesbury
I think that fast food adverts should be banned or at least reduced in number. There are so many of them that children can't help but eat junk food when it's in their face everyday! Emma, 10, London
Junk food is not the sole cause of the increasing obesity of children in this country-parents, schools and kids themselves are as much to blame as any food group. Anything in moderation is never a bad thing but when kids are encouraged to eat more and exercise less the problems become severe. Jeela, 14, Bristol
I don't think that junk food adverts should be banned because at the end of the day, the company who produce the food have to make a profit, and advertising is the only way really. People do decide what they eat when it comes down to it, and children in today's world do actually realise what they are eating believe it or not! Keira, 16, Northolt
I don't think it would make a change. It's now too late. many children have grown up with junk food and has become a habit. For them adverts wouldn't make a change. Jenny, 13, Preston
Even if junk food adverts are banned children will still know what they're missing out on and it won't change a thing. Exercise is the out of being overweight. Rachel, 13, Enfield
I think that even if they took junk food ads off people would still buy and eat junk food. I think that when people say "what you eat is what you are" I think it's just a myth. My sister and I eat sooooo much junk and we don't put any weight on. I think it's just the way your body handles your food. If people know there is a danger of them becoming overweight and don't help themselves then that's their choice. Samantha, 15, Reading
I don't think people should worry about anyone who eats junk food. It's their choice if they want to eat it so let them. Bronwyn, 12, Horsham
I think it should not be banned because it is just food and it is up to us if we eat it or not. Sam, 13
More and more children are getting obese, it's time we started taking our health seriously and look to the future! Egbert, 11, Cambridge
No I don't think they should be banned. I mean junk food is great! I always eat it but I also eat my veg and fruit on a Sunday! Just because it is on TV doesn't mean people have to buy it! If I told everyone to jump off a cliff would they? Natalie, 14, Wales
Please ban it, I know it's bad for me but I can't resist! Toni, 15, Kent
Yes, they should be banned. It costs the NHS millions to fix the mess junk food causes. Little kids don't eat vegetables anymore and it's all about sweets and junk food! Claire, 11, London
I'm all for banning the junk food adverts because kids will want to buy it. They will not just become unhealthy but also obese and it's not even real food! There are so many added chemicals, sugars and salts and this will lead to so many problems in later life. Jennie, 14, Stamford
Soon, they'll be trying to ban mobile Phone ads, it's PATHETIC! These companies have a right to advertise what they sell, or how are they going to get customers? Nancy, 11 ,Tunbridge Wells
I just love junk food I don't care that I'm fat 'cos it's not what you look like that counts it's who you are on the inside. Besides junk food makes me feel happy! I would much rather eat JF that rabbit food. Fatima, 12, London
Totally. I'm a vegan and those sort of adverts make me feel sick. It's even worse that, because other kids see them, they're going out and eating the meat. Not only do I think eating meat is wrong, but for them it's really fatty. At this rate the average weight in England will be 20 stone. We can't go on like this. Ban those adverts NOW!
Hannah, 12, Milton Keynes
I think they shouldn't be banned, just because it's on the telly, it doesn't mean everyone has to buy junk food
Emma, 13, Lincoln
The government are being way OTT. They just need to let us decide for ourselves if we want to eat junk food or not.
Helen, 11, London
If it makes people feel better they can advertise salads - it doesn't really matter if things are advertised or not!
Emma, 10, Dunstable
Ohmigod! What r u going to say next that all kids r restricted to eat Brussels sprouts from now on!? why can't u ppl stop being so over protective let us enjoy our lives - Soon we're going to be adults and will be going on diets and stuff this is going way over the top chill out.
Yousra, 12, Exeter
We're young and we're not young for very long and while we are growing we should b able to eat what ever we want and if we become fat well that's our own fault for eating too much junk food.
Katie, 12, Thornton Heath
I don't think we should ban junk food adverts or how am I supposed to know what's new?
Rachel, 9, York
No Way - I love junk food, I think it is up to the buyer what they eat, if they don't want to get fat then eats less junk food! Simple as
Simon, 14, Shrewsbury
What? I don't know what the government are up to, but it's about time that children decide for themselves.
Fouzia, 10, Birmingham
Everyone's becoming too protective over us can't they see we know what's right and wrong! We know we shouldn't eat too much junk but banning the adverts is way over the top!
CECH, 12, Ayrshire
Junk food is an important part in our lives because it gives us energy and everybody needs a tasty treat at sometime!
Lulu, 11, St Neots
Junk food ads should be banned coz junk food is very unhealthy and can raise cholesterol!
Becci, 13, Swindon
A Pizza Hut - A Pizza Hut - Kentucky Fried Chicken and a Pizza Hut. McDonalds - McDonalds - Kentucky Fried Chicken and a Pizza Hut.
That's all the places kids love to have dinner or tea at. The Fast Food Rockers sang that. That's advertising and it's in the Top 10. I rest my case.
David, 11, Darlington
That's stupid, next you will be saying lets ban adverts for cars because it influences joy-riders.
Paul, 14, Manchester
No way! What's the big deal, anyway? Kids are not going to stop eating junk food just because the ads are banned! That's ridiculous! Don't people have more important things to worry about besides junk food?
Holly, 13, USA
Even though people have a choice whether to choose healthy food, ads ARE bound to influence our decisions. So whilst folks do have a say in what they eat, they get blinded sometimes.
Sammi, 15, New York
I don't think the adverts should be banned, but should only be shown after a certain time. For example between children's shows and be limited to a certain number of adverts per hour.
Lucy, 13, Freshwater
NO!! I love junk food!! Caitlin, 12, Hemel Hempstead
No- next they'll be banning adverts for fizzy pop! Sam, 12, Manchester
I think that junk food is just really easy to eat on the go, so if you're shopping, you just pop into a burger bar - it's quick and cheap. If it was that easy to get healthy food, more kids would eat it, but advertising probably has an effect on this too. Anna, 14, Edinburgh
I don't think that they should be banned, but there should be a limit to how many junk food adverts are on per day. Cathy, 13, Cardiff
I think they need to be banned - they are a bad influence on us kids. Louise, 15, London
I hate junk food and agree that there are too many adverts for such food on the television. Beth, 12, Cardiff
They don't influence kids as much as people think they do. Sarah, 13, Northern Ireland
I agree with Keisha, it's up to other people what they eat, it's their choice. But they should just stop and think how bad it is for them first. It's themselves they're damaging. Hannah, 11, Stockport
I think that it doesn't really matter, because if it wasn't advertised people would still buy the junk food. Nowadays almost every town has a fast food restaurant that you're bound to know about. Chris, 12, Dundee
I don't care - I don't eat junk food anyway. It's gross! Keisha, 12, Leicester
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