Chile’s bold efforts to curb childhood junk food consumption have sparked international attention, prompting the question: if Chile can do it, why can’t the UK—or, indeed, Thailand? The South American nation’s sweeping package of regulations, focusing on marketing and labeling, has spurred a dramatic decline in unhealthy snack intake by children. This development has brought fresh hope to public health officials worldwide grappling with rising obesity rates among the youth.
The significance of Chile’s success lies not only in the scale of its intervention, but in the tangible results seen within classrooms, supermarkets, and family dining tables. By introducing front-of-pack warning labels on high-sugar, high-salt, and high-fat products, banning marketing of such foods to children, and prohibiting sales in schools, Chile has slashed the purchase and consumption of ultra-processed foods among its younger population (The Times). These policies, in effect since 2016, are now lauded as a template for global action.
Childhood obesity represents a crisis in many developed and developing countries. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the number of overweight children aged 5-19 jumped more than fourfold globally between 1975 and 2016, now affecting over 340 million young people (WHO). In Thailand, the problem is acute as well, with one in ten Thai schoolchildren classified as overweight or obese, a trend that has increased alongside the expansion of fast food outlets and sugary snack marketing (Thailand Ministry of Public Health).
Chile’s regulations struck at the heart of modern childhood dietary trends. By mandating large black stop-sign-style warnings on unhealthy foods, children and parents alike receive immediate, unambiguous messages about product contents. Additionally, by barring advertisements for such products during children’s programming and eliminating them from schools, Chile has reshaped the environment in which kids make food choices.
Academic experts have tracked the results. Studies published in top medical journals such as The Lancet and PLOS Medicine confirm that children in Chile have sharply decreased their intake of sugary drinks and snacks since the reforms. A 2020 analysis led by researchers at the University of North Carolina and Chile’s Ministry of Health documented a major reduction in purchases of “black label” products—a promising sign in altering behavioral patterns (The Lancet).
In stark contrast, the UK government, despite repeated promises, has been slow to enact comparable sweeping regulations. While measures such as the sugar tax and voluntary industry reformulation have shown modest impact, persistent advertising and widespread availability of junk food continue to fuel record-high childhood obesity rates. Public health advocates in the UK acknowledge the strength of Chile’s example and increasingly call for similar mandatory measures, including marketing restrictions and front-of-pack warnings (The Guardian).
Expert opinion is clear: policies that change food environments are essential. As stated by a senior nutritionist at the World Obesity Federation, “It’s not enough to just teach children about healthy eating. If unhealthy options are everywhere and aggressively marketed, knowledge alone cannot stem rising obesity rates.” Thai nutrition experts echo this sentiment, urging policymakers to look beyond voluntary guidelines and introduce legislative action.
In Thailand, some attempts at improvement have been noted. Existing labeling regulations require basic nutritional disclosure, but unlike Chile’s striking warning labels, these are often overlooked by consumers, and public awareness remains low (Thai FDA). School-based programs promoting healthy eating exist, yet these lack enforcement and continued exposure to junk food advertising undermines their efforts.
The social and cultural context in Thailand reveals additional challenges. Street food culture is deeply ingrained, with sweets and snacks sold near many schools. Advertisers frequently use Thai celebrities and influencers to promote packaged snacks, making unhealthy choices seemingly aspirational for young consumers. Moreover, many Thai families, facing rapidly shifting work-life dynamics, increasingly rely on convenience foods—often high in sugar, salt, and fat.
Despite these hurdles, Chile’s experience serves as an inspiration. Policymakers in Thailand may draw from Chile’s comprehensive approach, recognizing that impactful reform requires coordinated actions—clear warning labels, advertising controls, and school sales bans—all backed by government enforcement.
Looking ahead, the global trend is shifting towards mandatory interventions. The success in Chile, echoed by similar steps in countries like Mexico and Uruguay, suggests a roadmap for other nations plagued by the rise in non-communicable diseases linked to diet. International health agencies, including the WHO, have called for governments to implement robust controls over marketing and provide transparent nutritional warnings as effective strategies (WHO Bulletin).
For Thai readers, these lessons are both timely and actionable. Simple measures, such as supporting clear food labeling in shops, advocating for advertising restrictions near schools, and pushing for national policies that prioritize children’s health, can collectively shift the tide. Parents and caregivers can also serve as role models, selecting healthier options and raising awareness among children about the risks associated with regular junk food consumption.
In the face of rising childhood obesity, waiting for voluntary industry promises to bring change is no longer enough. Chile’s journey proves that bold policy decisions, coupled with public education and steadfast enforcement, yield real and positive health outcomes for children. Thailand has both the opportunity and the imperative to follow this lead.