The onslaught of persuasion is relentless - TV, cinema, magazines, posters, supermarket checkouts, and even at school and nursery with sponsored materials and equipment offers. Animated characters and celebrities add to the promotion. There's just no chance to escape.
However, alarm at the rise in obesity among children leading sedentary lifestyles and eating nutritionally poor diets has prompted the Government to consider more legislation on advertising to children (see Special Report, pages 10-11).
There is no easy answer. A total ban on advertising to children would be seen as draconian and unworkable. A better balanced 'diet' of ads that included promotion of healthy options would be a step forward, but where will the money come from to combat the huge financial might of the major food and snack manufacturers?
But something must be done to reverse the trend in mainly high-fat, high-sugar, high-salt 'children's' food, for the sake of the nation's health.