New Zealand children are exposed to around 27 unhealthy food adverts per day, according to research from Otago and Auckland Universities.

Most common are ads for sugary drinks, fast food, confectionery, and snack foods.

Lead researcher Louise Signal says the study reinforces the need for urgent action to reduce children’s exposure to marketing of unhealthy foods.

Children are more than twice as likely to be exposed to unhealthy food marketing compared to healthy food marketing.