There is a new study coming in a few weeks (see below) on television food advertising to children. I must say, I'm not a big believer in too much regulation, but this is really important. These marketers are unbelievable how they try and manipulate our children. You can't turn on one kids show (other than public broadcasting--which is great by-the-way) without seeing sugary and fat food aimed out our children.

These marketers use psychologists, physiatrists, marketing experts to trying and persuade children under 9 to nag their parents to buy unhealthy foods. It's hard enough to raise children, but this is ridiculous. You might say, “so turn the TV off.” Good point. However, it's not just TV. If you walk into any supermarket you can't go down any aisle without some cartoon packaging glaring at your child---using manipulation to push them to choose the least healthy foods.  Let's see what this report says in a few weeks. I think the numbers and the report will be shocking.

New Study of Television Food Advertising to Children

With policymakers and health advocates searching for ways to fight childhood obesity, the issue of food advertising to children has come under increasing scrutiny. In this context, the Kaiser Family Foundation will release the largest study ever conducted of TV food advertising to children on Wednesday, March 28 at 9:30 a.m. ET in Washington, D.C. The study combines content analysis of ads with detailed data about children's viewing habits to provide an estimate of the number and type of TV ads seen by children.

Senator Sam Brownback will provide opening comments to kick-off the forum.

What: Release of Food for Thought: Television Food Advertising to Children in the United States and a panel discussion. The forum will explore such issues as:

* How many food ads do children see on TV today? * What types of foods do children see advertised most frequently? * What is the nature of the appeals used to market food to children? * Is there a relationship between food advertising and childhood obesity? * What initiatives have the food and media industries undertaken to address food advertising to children?

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