Assess the latest evidence on restrictions of fast food advertising in public spaces, on health and society, focusing on health outcomes and inequalities.

This Rapid Evidence Assessment (REA) analyses 20 recent articles from 2019-2024 that consider the impact that restrictions on unhealthy food advertising may have on health outcomes and inequalities. It is targeted at local or devolved legislatures such as transport authorities or local government. It concludes that restrictions are likely to be effective at improving health outcomes and associated inequalities, but existing frameworks for defining ‘healthy’ and ‘unhealthy’ foods need to be more robust as they do not encompass definitions of Ultra-Processed Foods or account for fast-food brand presence.

This document was produced as an assignment for the FPM001 Food and Public Policy module undertaken at the Centre for Food Policy, City St Georges, University of London. The document has been written to address a marking criteria and learning outcomes.