The backlash against fast food continues!
A new policy statement from the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), a group of 65,000 physicians, seeks to ban fast food advertisements from children’s television shows.
Dr. Victor Strasburger of the AAP believes the elimination of fast food’s presence in media aimed at children could have a significant impact on obesity, saying:
“It’s time for the food industry to clean up its act and not advertise junk food to young children. Just by banning ads for fast food, one study says we could decrease obesity and overweight by 17 percent.”
There is plenty of research to back up the group’s claims. On study found kids watching cartoons ate 45% more snacks when exposed to food ads instead of ads for other products.
Although a few companies have already pledged to advertise healthier options to young kids, research from last year shows fast food restaurants are stepping up marketing directed at children and toddlers.
The AAP believes advertising is directly affecting our nation’s obesity problem and are encouraging parents to limit their children’s tv time until lawmakers step in, as Dr. Strasburger explained:
“Parents need to listen to the AAP guidelines which say, ‘Limit your child to less than two hours of media time per day, keep the TV set and Internet out of the bedroom and avoid screen time in kids under two.'”
While we think the the groups claims may be legitimate, we’re skeptical Congress will actually make any laws preventing fast food companies from advertising to children, but we’ll cross our fingers if it will make a difference!
[Image via AP Images.]