Teenagers see 11,000 unhealthy food marketing posts a year, says study

Nutrient profiling shows that 96% of foods promoted on social media would be classified as 'not permitted' for marketing to children under World Health Organisation guidelines. File picture

Irish teenagers are being exposed to very large amounts of unhealthy food marketing online with estimates they view up to 19 clear-cut posts promoting unhealthy food on average every hour they use social media.

A study commissioned by Safefood — the all-Ireland food safety promotion board — estimates teenagers using social media for just two hours per day will be exposed to almost 11,000 unhealthy food marketing posts per year.