According to government figures, in France more than 9 percent of the 63.4 million citizens are obese and less than a third are overweight. In comparison, one-third of adults' population is obese in United States, while other two-thirds are overweight. The pattern is more or less similar in several Mediterranean and Eastern European countries.
Health experts fear that the advent of processed snacks and fast food is the main cause of obesity among the youth of the country. France and the World Health Organization have expressed their concern over an obesity epidemic striking the young that could bring hoards of other problems including diabetes, high blood pressure and heart disease.
Keeping the rising obesity figures in mind, France's new guidelines of health would affect processed, sweetened or salted food and drinks advertisements on television, radio and billboards and the Internet.
According to AP reports, advertisers who defy this rule of running the messages will be fined 1.5 percent of the cost of the ad, to be paid to the National Institute for Health Education. The Health Ministry believes that this measure will help children "guide themselves" in making eating decisions.
The French government has issued the following four choices in warnings:
"For your health, eat at least five fruits and vegetables a day."
"For your health, undertake regular physical activity."
"For your health, avoid eating too much fat, too much sugar, too much salt."
"For your health, avoid snacking between meals."
On Thursday, a soda company broadcasted a message about eating fruits and vegetables on its billboard advertisement.
