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Influencers are bombarding children on social media with posts about junk foody, a study suggests.
Experts analysed the meals, snacks and drinks in the posts of six popular influencers among teenagers, who had a combined 35million followers.
They found three-quarters of food and drink related posts contained products high in salt, fat, or sugar.
The influencers were all German-speakers and the posts were spread across TikTok, Instagram and YouTube — apps used by children as young as 13.
Chocolate and sweets were the most common products promoted by influencers, accounting for a quarter of food and drink posts.
The authors, from the Medical University of Vienna of Austria, called for a crackdown on the largely unregulated space of influencers and social media to tackle childhood obesity.
Social media has typically been associated with promoting negative body images that are too thin, and linked to eating disorders like anorexia.
A analysis of six influencers popular with teenagers found the vast majority of the food drink they posted about was unhealthy
Study author Dr Maria Wakolbinge said governments needed to take action to help address the growing problem of child obesity.
'How can we expect our children to eat healthily when content on social media is skewed to promote foods high in fat, salt, and sugar,' she said.
'Influencers have huge power over what young people feel is relevant and appealing.
