India, Jan. 5 -- Kids in the U.K. will be protected from exposure to junk food advertising on TV and online as new regulations come into force to help tackle childhood obesity.

From Monday, adverts for less healthy food and drinks will be banned on television before 9 pm, and online at all times.

This action by the government is expected to remove up to 7.2 billion calories from children's diets each year, reduce the number of children living with obesity by 20,000 and deliver around 2 billion pounds in health benefits over time, according to the UK Department of Health and Social Care.

Evidence shows advertising influences what and when children eat, shaping preferences from a young age and increasing the risk of obesity and related i...