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Almost a third of parents leave their children at home to avoid rows in the supermarket over junk food
The poll for the British Heart Foundation found two thirds of parents (64%) had actively tried to prevent rows, with 29% leaving their children at home, 29% bribing them with something other than junk food and 19% avoiding the confectionery aisle.
Another 16% had made their partner stay home with the children. The survey found 53% of parents had been asked for junk food that came with a free toy or token, 45% had been asked for items their children had seen on television and 41% had been pestered for food with a cartoon character on the packaging.
The heart charity released the findings ahead of a Bill to introduce robust restrictions on unhealthy food advertising to children due for its second reading in Parliament today.
The Bill aims to introduce a 9pm watershed for junk food advertising and protect children from other forms of marketing.
The charity's spokeswoman, Betty McBride, said: "Banning junk food pester power ammunition from supermarket shelves will make it easier for parents to make healthier food choices for their families."
