Three-quarters of British adults want television advertising of junk food banned before 9pm, according to a new poll.
The survey of more than 1,700 people, for Cancer Research UK, found 74 per cent would back a ban while 55 per cent want sugary drinks taxed.
Almost seven out of 10 respondents said there should be cuts to junk food advertising online while 66 per cent want reductions in junk food promotions, such as buy-one-get-one-free deals.
The poll also found 82 per cent said childhood obesity was a problem.
A Diabetes UK poll last week found 75 per cent of adults want food manufacturers to reduce the amount of saturated fat, salt and added sugar in their products.
The British government is due to publish its strategy for tackling childhood obesity in the next few weeks but has so far resisted calls for a tax on sugary drinks - as called for by campaigners including celebrity chef Jamie Oliver.
Current estimates for school-age children are that 14.7 per cent of all their calorie intake is made up of sugar with the main sources including soft drinks, table sugar, confectionery, fruit juice, biscuits, buns, cakes, pastries and puddings and breakfast cereals.
Soft drinks (excluding fruit juice) are the largest single source of sugar for children aged 11 to 18. They provide 29 per cent of daily sugar intake, on average, for this age group.
A third of 10 to 11-year-olds and more than a fifth of four to five-year-olds in England are overweight or obese.
Obesity causes some types of cancer, Type 2 diabetes, heart disease and stroke.
Alison Cox, director of cancer prevention at Cancer Research UK, said: "Junk food is everywhere. Children are bombarded by advertising tailored to tempt them with pretty colours and cartoons which all influence the food they prefer.
"At a time when junk food is cheap and packed with extra calories, we need stronger action to help prevent children from choosing these foods."
