Health professionals say we're getting nowhere when it comes to regulating advertising for junk food.

A world first New Zealand study has shown kids are being exposed to 27 junk food ads every day.

Associate Professor of Public Health at Otago University, Louise Signal said there are clear links between advertising and consumption, but despite repeated calls nothing has changed.

Ms Signal told Mike Hosking the Advertising Standards Authority is too soft.

"Although they've done some tinkering around the edges there's no substantial change to their system and I think we do need to move to a government regulation system." 

She said there are very clear links between advertising, and consumption.

"I think it's hard to imagine that the industry would put so much effort into it unless it was paying dividends to them."

LISTEN ABOVE AS LOUISE SIGNAL SPEAKS WITH MIKE HOSKING