Give us your feedback and tell us what you would do if you ruled the world! Enjoying your lunch break? Not so fast… Today, we dive into the pressing issue of junk food marketing and its impact on youth with Luke, an 18-year-old school student, food justice campaigner for Bite Back 2030, and youth parliament member. Join us as Luke shares his journey into activism, the significant challenges posed by unhealthy food marketing, and the collective efforts required to forge a healthier future for his, and future generations. Key Takeaways: The Catalyst for Change: The moment Luke decided to stand up against the systemic drivers of unhealthy food marketing to youth. Introduction to Luke's activism journey and the origins of Bite Back 2030. Targeting Youth: The Unhealthy Marketing Machine: Exploration of research suggesting that young people are explicitly targeted by junk food advertising. Luke's insights into defining junk food and its detrimental effects on health. Navigating the Food Landscape: Personal anecdotes from Luke about his dietary experiences and the illusion of choice in the current food environment. Government and Corporate Accountability: Luke's perspective on the failure of government regulations and the cozy relationship between government entities and food companies. The urgent need for changing the narrative around food, health, and corporate responsibility. Bite Back 2030: Spearheading Change: The role of Bite Back 2030 in advocating for a healthier food environment and their actions against junk food marketing. Challenges encountered in the fight against powerful food industry lobbying and the barriers to effective change. The Path Forward: Luke's vision for the future and the importance of engaging young people in politics and activism to address public health issues. The collective action needed to combat the commercial drivers of disease and ensure a healthier future for younger generations. Conclusion and How to Support the Cause: Luke's passionate call to action highlights the critical need for a united stand against junk food marketing and the implementation of effective solutions to safeguard the health of future generations. For listeners inspired to join the movement or learn more about Bite Back 2030, visit their website. Follow the show: You can follow ‘If I Ruled the World’ on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or your preferred platform of choice. Follow Gillian Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gillians_voice/ Website: https://www.gillianburkevoice.com/ Mentions & Resources Sigma Nutrition Podcast It’s Not Your Fault You Can’t Resist Film Bite Back’s Fuel Us, Don’t Fool Us Research Effects of exposure to unhealthy food advertising on intake in children and adults Nearly 1,600 children in England living with type 2 diabetes University of Birmingham FUEL Study Health effects of dietary risks in 195 countries, 1990–2017: a systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2017 The diets cutting one in five lives short every year 86% of Teens Exposed to Junk Food Ads on Social Media What would you do if you ruled the world? If you have any insights or feedback on today’s episode or you have an idea for how the world could be a better place, drop me an email on [email protected] A final thank you to our wonderful sponsors Triodos Bank UK for making this podcast happen, and to The Wildlife Trusts for their continued support. Produced by Soundquake Edited by Jake-Lee Savage